MILAN, Italy: AC Milan have officially tied former Inter striker Mario Balotelli to a deal that will see him remain at the Serie A club until 2017.
A statement by Milan said: “Mario Balotelli is officially a Milan player until 2017.
“The club has bought Mario Balotelli from Manchester City F.C. and he has signed a contract which expires in June 2017.”
Earlier, Milan welcomed Balotelli to the club following his arrival from City with a cheeky reference to the ‘Why Always Me?’ T-shirt the striker famously exposed in a 2011 derby against United.
‘Yes, always you’ was the headline on the Milan webpage officially welcoming Balotelli to the Rossoneri, a club he openly supported while playing for Milan rivals Inter.
Balotelli exposed the ‘Why Always Me?’ message after scoring two goals in an October 2011 derby against Manchester United.
The message was generally believed to target the many media reports of the many stunts and incidents that made Balotelli a household name during his time in the Premier League.
Two days prior to the derby in question, for example, Balotelli set his house on fire after throwing fireworks out of the bathroom window.
Balotelli arrived in Milan on Wednesday and said he hoped he could revive his career after a roller-coaster spell with the English champions.
“I didn’t start the season very well with City so I am coming to Milan to revive myself and to do well,” said Balotelli as he prepared to return to Serie A in a deal said to be worth around $30 million (22 million euros).
“I have wanted to play for Milan for a long time, but I was with other teams. When this chance came along I grabbed it. I hope Milan can become a big club again.”
Balotelli, who will wear the number 45 shirt, was set to complete a medical on Thursday and be unveiled to the press on Friday evening.
Milan, who have climbed to fifth place at 12 points behind leaders Juventus following a disastrous start to the season, host Udinese on Sunday.
