Liverpool cut losses as Mario Balotelli joins Nice on free transfer
Liverpool misfit Mario Balotelli's miserable spell at Anfield is finally over after he completed a move to Nice.
The Ligue 1 side have got the Italy international, who scored just four goals in 28 appearances, for free but the Reds did not have to pay off the 26-year-old, which was a distinct possibility for a time as numerous European clubs turned down the chance to sign the striker.
Balotelli spent last season on at former club AC Milan after just one campaign at Liverpool, having been signed by former manager Brendan Rodgers for £16million.
"We are very pleased to welcome Mario," president Jean-Pierre Rivere told ogcnice.com.
"We hope that Nice, in a family atmosphere, he will find the pleasure of the game.
"We know, him and us, that nothing will be easy but with the desire and, hopefully, the support of all our fans we will allow it to flourish and bring his talent to the service of the team."
Balotelli will train with his new team-mates on Thursday before being presented to the media on Friday.
Liverpool's clear-out of the deadwood had begun earlier in the day with Luis Alberto, who managed just 12 appearances in his first season before being loaned out to Malaga and Deportivo La Coruna, sold to Lazio in a £6million deal.
The Reds have received an initial fee of £4.3million with the rest made up of add-ons and the club have also inserted a 30 per cent sell-on clause.
Defender Andre Wisdom. 23, has gone to Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg on loan, his fourth spell after spending the last three seasons at Derby, West Brom and Norwich.
