Official: Mario Balotelli Signs for Liverpool FC

Balotelli has finally become a Liverpool player

After a long week of updates, minute-by-minute blows of the Italian striker’s whereabouts (and those of his agent) and reminiscing of his misdeeds, Balotelli has finally, officially signed on the dotted line and become a Liverpool FC player.

Much of the talk over the past 5-6 weeks has been about the elusive ‘replacement’ for the departing Suarez and, while Balotelli isn’t a replacement as such, he is certainly a worthy signing and one of only a handful capable of filling that void of madness and genius left by the troublesome Uruguayan.

Signed for a reported fee of around £16 million, the Italian becomes the latest piece in a jigsaw puzzle that was begun almost as soon as the previous Premier League season ended and has seen almost every area of the pitch either upgraded or having strength in depth added for the new challenges Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool will face this year.

Having arrived in Liverpool and headed to Melwood this morning to complete his move, the 24 year old is without a doubt the most exciting signing that Liverpool have made so far this window and, while he won’t be available to face Manchester City tonight, he will almost certainly be available for the clubs’ next league game on 31st August (next Sunday).

Speaking in his first interview with LFC.TV, the Italian striker said “I’m very happy. We’ve been talking about coming here and now I’m happy to be here.

“Liverpool are one of the best teams here in England and the football is very good here.”

Few players in world football could stand a chance of replacing the feats Suarez achieved or the place he held in the hearts, minds and memories of most LFC fans but Mario is certainly one of those and there’s real optimism that Liverpool have signed a much, much different player to the Balotelli that left Man City almost 2 year ago.

Welcome to Liverpool, Mario Balotelli!