Mario Balotelli is set for a third spell in Italy.
Former Manchester City and Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli has returned to Italy to join home town club Brescia.
Balotelli, who was released by Marseille at the end of last season, returns to Italy for his third stint after playing for Inter, where he won three league titles, and AC Milan.
“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.
Sky Sports Italia reported the ex-AC Milan player has signed a three-year deal worth €3 million for the first year, plus a further €3 million if the club remains in Serie A. In the following two years he will receive €6 million per season if they remain in Italy’s top flight, as reported.
The 29-year-old reportedly rejected a move to Brazilian club Flamengo as he pushes for a place in the Italian national team as Euro 2020 approaches. The troubled striker, Â 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.
The 29-year-old Italy international would be presented at the Stadio Mario Rigamonti later on Monday with media reporting he had signed a three-year deal with the club, who are back in the top flight for the first time since 2011.
The new league season begins this weekend but Balotelli must wait to make his debut as he serves a four-match ban after getting a straight red card in his final game for Marseille against Montpellier in May and his return could be on 25 September against Juventus.
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