MILAN, Aug 19, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Mario Balotelli will return to Italy with
home town team Brescia after it was confirmed on Sunday he has signed for the
newly-promoted club.
The Italian forward has penned a “multi-year contract” and will be
officially presented on Monday, the northern team confirmed on their website.
“Mario returns home,” Brescia said in a statement.
“The return to Italy, after three years, was made possible by Mario’s
determination and enthusiasm to return to Brescia, the city where he grew up
and where, since he was a child, he stood out for his physical and technical
skills,” the club continued.
Balotelli, who was born in Sicily but adopted and raised just outside
Brescia, has reportedly agreed a three-year deal with the Serie B champions
after being released by Marseille in June.
“Finally back in MY CITY,” Balotelli posted on social media along with a
video collage of photos and clips of different moments of his career.
Balotelli made his debut in local team Lumezzane in Serie C as a 16-year-
old, before moving to Serie A giants Inter Milan in 2007.
However, Balotelli’s debut in the Brescia shirt is not imminent as the
striker has to serve a four-match ban and his return could be on September 25
against Juventus.
Sky Sports Italia reported Balotelli has signed a three-year deal worth
three million euros ($3.3 million) for the first year, plus a further three
million if the club remains in Serie A.
In the following two years he will receive six million euros per season if
Brescia remain in Serie A, Sky reported.
The 29-year-old rejected a move to Brazilian club Flamengo as he pushes
for a place in the Italian national team as Euro 2020 approaches.
Balotelli, who has 36 caps for Italy, has not featured on the
international stage since last September as coach Roberto Mancini said he was
not playing at a high enough standard.
Brescia have been promoted back to the top flight for the first time since
being relegated in 2011.
Balotelli last played in Serie A with AC Milan on loan from Liverpool in
the 2015-2016 season.
It was his second spell at AC Milan after 2013-2014. He was part of the
Inter Milan side coached by Jose Mourinho that won the Serie A, Coppa Italia
and Champions League treble in 2010.
He won three Serie A titles with Inter before switching to Manchester City
and helping them claim the Premier League crown in 2012.
Brescia, meanwhile, crashed out of the Coppa Italia in the third round on
Sunday losing 2-1 to Serie B outfit Perugia, who went through thanks to two
goals deep into injury time.