Wednesday.
Nice's Italian forward Mario Balotelli (R) takes
part in a training session on September 1, 2016
at the "Charles Ehrmann" stadium in Nice,
southeastern France.
The 26-year-old known as ‘Super Mario’, whose
career has stalled over the last two years, has
signed a permanent deal, Nice said, without
revealing the fee or the length of the contract.
“Mario Balotelli will train with us on Thursday and
be officially presented to the press on Friday,”
said Nice, who came fourth in Ligue 1 last
season.
British media reported he had moved on a free
transfer, with Liverpool avoiding having to pay off
his hefty contract, as had been feared after a
raft of European clubs refused to take him.
“We know, he and the club, that it will not be
simple, but with desire and support from the
fans, he can blossom here and bring all his talent
to the service of the team,” Nice president Jean-
Pierre Rivere said.
“We hope that in the family atmosphere at this
club, he will start to enjoy his game again.”
Nice have a recent track record of bringing
wayward talent back to the boil after a similar
experience last season with France international
Hatem Ben Arfa, who moved to Paris Saint-
Germain in the close season.
Liverpool bought Balotelli from AC Milan for 25
million euros ($27.9 million) in 2014, but a year
later loaned him back to the Italian giants, where
he managed a paltry one goal in 20 matches.
Once considered a potential great, Balotelli
scored a brilliant brace for Italy in their Euro
2012 semi-final win over Germany.
He also shone at the 2013 Confederations Cup,
but since leaving Manchester City that year his
career has been in gradual decline.
Balotelli was shipped back to Milan on loan after
just one campaign at Liverpool, but his miserable
spell at Anfield is finally over.
Liverpool also allowed Serbian winger Lazar
Markovic to join Sporting Lisbon on a season-long
loan.
AFP
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