Liverpool outcast Mario Balotelli signs for AC Milan on loan

Mario Balotelli is set to return to Milan on a subsidised loan from Liverpool
The striker, who is training alone, flew to Italy to speak to Sinisa Mihajlovic
It is understood that Liverpool will pay half of his salary at the San Siro
Balotelli scored 26 goals in 43 appearances for Milan during his first tenure
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Published:
15:07 GMT, 24 August 2015

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Updated:
19:17 GMT, 25 August 2015

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Mario Balotelli has re-joined AC Milan on a season-long loan – immediately declaring he needs stop talking and knuckle down.

The Liverpool striker, who had been training away from the first team squad for most of the last month, has been in Milan over the weekend in an attempt to thrash out a deal to take him away from Anfield.

Balotelli was pictured coming out of a black Audi wearing a red Puma hoodie as he made his way into hospital before penning a deal.

Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli has re-joined AC Milan on a season-long loan

The Italian looked pleased to be making a return to Milan while taking his medical on Tuesday afternoon

Balotelli wears the AC Milan strip after undergoing a medical in the Italian capital ahead of his loan move

Balotelli has returned to AC Milan having arrived for a medical in Italy on Tuesday morning

Balotelli was back training with his AC Milan team-mates on Monday afternoon

Balotelli is pictured on the AC Milan training pitch at Milanello after signing a one-year loan deal

Balotelli (centre) jogging with his team-mates as he returns to AC Milan

He said: ‘I’m happy to have returned. I have little to say, just that I’m looking forward to training and proving my worth.

‘I’m physically well – I just have to train with the squad.

‘I have a lot of motivation but I just have to work and not speak.

‘Did I think I would return to Milan? Yes, I always had Milan in my heart and I always had hope that I would return one day.

‘Will I end my career here? I just have to start to work and have a good year, just have to work and that’s that.’

Milan, who sold Balotelli to Liverpool for £16million, don’t have to pay a loan fee for the 25-year-old and it is understood that Liverpool will pay half of the salary he will receive at the San Siro – a figure which is likely to be in the region of £2.5m.

Balotelli struggled massively at Liverpool, with AC Milan ready to bring his miserable time to an end

Manager Sinisa Mihajlovic worked with the forward while he was assistant coach to Roberto Mancini at Inter

The striker could only watch on as the Reds beat Bournemouth at Anfield last Monday

It could be the last time Balotelli turfs up in the Premier League as he moves back on loan to AC Milan

A number of incidents overshadowed his time in England – including this training ground spat with Mancini

BALOTELLI’S LEAGUE CV

Liverpool (2014-15): 16 games; one goal

AC Milan (2013-14): 43 games; 26 goals

Man City (2010-13): 54 games; 20 goals

Inter Milan (2006-10): five games; two goals

Total cost: £59million

A statement from Milan read: ‘At 8:26 this morning, Mario Balotelli has arrived to La Madonnina Clinic to undergo today’s medical.’

Balotelli, on £80,000 a week, scored just once in the Premier League for the Reds, during a 3-2 win against Tottenham back in February – adding another three in cup competitions.

It is not yet known whether the deal will include a clause that requires Milan to make his signing permanent in 12 months’ time but what is clear is that Liverpool will be relieved to move on a player who has spectacularly flopped during his time on Merseyside.

A number of clubs have been linked with Balotelli during the summer, most notably Sampdoria, Lazio and Bologna, but Milan are the only team who have shown firm interest in the maverick striker.

When asked at the weekend what the future held for Balotelli, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was non-committal.

‘It’s not something I’ve really thought of or want to discuss in a press conference,’ said Rodgers. ‘Maybe something to write about. But every player that comes in here will be respected.

‘We bring in players that are good players. Whether it works out for them, it’s entirely up to them. The next year? You never know what that might hold the team, for myself, the group. So it’s not fair to talk about an individual.’

If the move to AC Milan fails to work out, though, it is difficult to see where Balotelli goes next, as Adriano Galliani – AC Milan’s chief executive – has warned: ‘This is absolutely his last chance. I hope he understands this.’

It represents quite the about-turn by Liverpool after Balotelli was hailed as ‘outstanding value’ by Rodgers last year.

Balotelli scored 26 goals in 43 appearances for AC Milan in his first tenure at the Italian side

‘This transfer represents outstanding value for the club and I think we have done a really smart piece of business here,’ he said.

‘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.

‘I am looking forward to working with him and helping him learn more, improve and progress as a player. I’m sure the supporters will make him feel very welcome.’

Balotelli will face stern competition at the San Siro, with Luiz Adriano and Carlos Bacca likely to form Mihajlovic’s front two.