Former Liverpool striker now runs ice cream shop selling award-winning Sicilian granita

FORMER Liverpool star Krisztian Adorjan has this week announced his retirement from football aged 31.

Having hung up his boots, the Hungarian will now be able to spend more time running his Budapest ice cream shop.

Krisztian Adorjan excelled in Liverpool’s academySportsfile – Subscription

Instagram @ilbrunogelatoHe has since opened an ice cream shop in Budapest[/caption]

Adorjan joined the Reds aged 16 in 2009 and was on their books for five years.

The forward impressed for Liverpool‘s academy sides, and was even their Under-21s’ top scorer during the 2012-13 season.

He trained with the Reds’ first team and also featured in pre-season under Brendan Rodgers, but never managed to earn a senior competitive appearance, despite coming close.

Following a loan spell in the Netherlands with Groningen, Adorjan left Anfield permanently for Italian side Novara in 2014.

He went on to play for clubs in Albania and Ireland, before returning to Hungary in 2021.

That year, he launched a separate business venture.

In an article published by We Love Budapest, it was confirmed that Adorjan had opened an ice cream shop in the Obuda region of the city alongside business partner Fabio Marconi.

Having played in the country during his football career, Adorjan brought authentic Italian ice cream to his home city.

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Instagram @ilbrunogelatoVisitors are spoiled for choice at Adorjan’s ice cream shop[/caption]

Instagram @ilbrunogelatoThe ice cream shop received favourable reviews in 2021[/caption]

Marconi has plenty of pedigree in the field.

Having made ice cream for VIPs at the Sanremo Music Festival, he also won the 2017 world championship with his Sicilian granita.

With plenty of flavours available to customers of Adorjan and Marconi’s Bruno Dolce & Caffe, granita is something of a delicacy.

It is described as being like a combination of ice cream, ice slush and sorbet.

Adorjan most recently played for second tier side Budapest Honved.

Earlier this week, alongside several photographs, including some from his Liverpool days, Adorjan announced his retirement.

‘THANK YOU FOOTBALL’

He wrote: “How could I forget you when my first love was you?! I am who I am because of you.

“I will be grateful for everything you taught me and gave me for the rest of my life.

“Thank you Football.”

His post received comments from several of his former Liverpool academy team-mates.

Northern Ireland international Ryan McLaughlin wrote: “What a player. Born on the half turn. Pleasure to play with you mate.”

While Stephen Sama said: “Was a pleasure to play with you all the best in your future.”

Joao Teixeira added: “What a player ! And even better person ! Pleasure my friend.”