Mario Balotelli completes £16 million move to Liverpool from AC Milan
Liverpool have completed the signing of enigmatic Italian forward Mario Balotelli from AC Milan for a reported £16 million pounds, the English club announced on their official website.
Balotelli is believed to have taken a major pay cut to join Brendan Rodgers’ revolution at Anfield. The ninth signing for the Reds this summer put his signature on the dotted line today at Melwood to finalize a three-year deal that will reportedly pay Balotelli £80,000 per week.
Liverpool have been in search of a goal-getter of real prominence ever since the departure of Luis Suarez over the summer. The Merseysiders have already brought in Rickie Lambert and Divock Origi from Southampton and Lille respectively this off-season and were very close to sealing the signature of Loic Remy before the Frenchman failed his medical.
Balotelli, still only 24, will be joining his fourth club in his fledgling career after spending only a year and a half with the Rossoneri. The Italian already boasts of Premier League experience, having spent three seasons between 2010 and 2013 at Manchester City, with whom he lifted the trophy in 2012.
Balotelli took to his social media account on Twitter to announce his arrival at Merseyside and seemed quite pleased at having come back to England.
Balotelli, who scored 26 goals for Milan in his 43 appearances for the club in two seasons will continue to wear his famous no. 45 shirt. The Italian seemed pleased to have joined the “young core” at Anfield.
On signing for the club, Balotelli told Liverpool’s official website, “I’m very happy. We’ve been talking about coming here and now I’m happy to be here.
“Liverpool are one of the best teams here in England and the football is very good here. It’s a great team with young players, and that’s why I came here.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was also ecstatic at having been able to a “world class” talent amongst his ranks at Anfield.
“This transfer represents outstanding value for the club and I think we have done a really smart piece of business here,” Rodgers told the club’s official website. There is no doubting Mario’s ability; he is a world-class talent and someone who, for such a young age, has vast experience of playing at the very highest level.
“He has scored goals in the Barclays Premier League, in Italy, in the Champions League and for his country at international level. I believe we have the infrastructure, culture and environment to get the best out of him and help him achieve his true potential. We are a strong group here, committed to hard work and he will benefit from being around it.”
Confirmed: #LFC have today completed the signing of Italy international Mario Balotelli from AC Milan #MarioLFCpic.twitter.com/iSrVb0P3Mw
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 25, 2014