Balotelli Completes Move from Liverpool to Nice On Free Transfer

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Balotelli Completes Move from Liverpool to Nice On Free Transfer

Mario Balotelli has signed for Ligue 1 side Nice on a free contract.

The misfit Italian, who was deemed by Jürgen Klopp to be surplus to requirements, joins on a one-year deal.

With the addition of Sadio Mané from Southampton, Liverpool are well-stocked going forward and were very keen to remove Balotelli from their books. Having signed the 26-year-old for £16m in 2014, Balotelli managed only four goals in 28 appearances for the Reds.

“We are very pleased to welcome Mario,” said Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere.

“We hope that Nice, in a family atmosphere, will help him rediscover his joy for the game. We both know that nothing will be easy, but with the desire and support of all our fans, we’ll help him to flourish and bring his talent to the service of the team.”
Balotelli will have his first training session on Thursday and be presented to the media on Friday.

The club also sanctioned the departure of Luis Alberto to Lazio for £4.3m plus add-ons. Liverpool paid nearly £7m for the midfielder in 2013, but the Spanish youth international failed to hold down a first-team berth. Liverpool’s deal with Lazio includes a 30% sell on agreement.

Defender Andre Wisdom has also left the club on a loan deal to Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg.

Since making his debut for the club in a 5-3 Europa Cup victory in 2012, Wisdom has made 22 appearances for Liverpool.