Mario Balotelli has remained a free agent since July this year. The Italian striker's contract with the Turkish club Adana Demirspor expired and he became unemployed. Recently he has been linked with quite exotic teams. There was talk of him moving to the Indian Kerala Blasters Whether Bulgarian CSKA Sofia. Meanwhile, the 34-year-old has just joined a team from Serie A!
“Super Mario” Balotelli has a new club. They officially announced
Balotelli signed a contract with Genoa on Monday. The Italian club boasted about its new acquisition on social media. – Mario Balotelli is the new player of Genoa. The Italian striker, born on September 12, 1990 in Palermo, signed a contract with his new club. During his career, Balotelli won nine titles with his clubs. In the senior national team, he was the top scorer and vice-champion of Europe in 2012, scoring a total of 36 appearances and 14 goals. Welcome to Genoa, Super Mario! – we read on the X platform.
Balotelli's contract will run until the end of this season. The striker will wear number 45. As reported by Sky Sports, on Monday the player underwent medical examinations, signed a contract and then arrived at the training center. He is scheduled to train with the entire team from Tuesday. – I'm very excited. Do I still have the fire in me? You'll see. Greetings to the fans and see you soon. Let's hope everything will be fine, I will give my best. When will I be ready to play? I hope soon – he said after joining the club, quoted by the station.
Balotelli's great comeback. Will he save Genoa from relegation?
For the footballer, it is a great return to his home field. Mario Balotelli last played in the Italian Serie A on March 9, 2020, for Brescia. More than four and a half years have passed since then, or 1,694 days to be precise. During this time, the former star of the Italian national team played for Monza (then at Serie B level – editor's note), the Swiss FC Sion and Adana Demirspor. Last season in the Turkish league he made 16 appearances, scoring seven goals and providing one assist.
Balotelli's new club has been performing terribly since the beginning of the season and will probably only fight for relegation. After nine rounds of Serie A, Genoa has only six points and is in 18th place in the table. Recently, it recorded a series of eight matches without a win. They were also eliminated from the Coppa Italia after losing to Sampdoria on penalties in the derby. They have been waiting for victory since August 24, when they beat Monza 1-0.