Mario Balotelli is close to
returning to Italy to sign a three-year contract with promoted
Serie A side Brescia, his hometown club, sources said on
Wednesday.
The Lombard club, who returned to the top flight after
winning the Serie B championship last season, are said to have
beaten off competition from Fiorentina, Verona and Brazilian
side Flamengo to secure the striker's services.
The 29-year-old is a free agent after his contract with
French side Marseille expired.
Before that had a mostly successful two-and-a-half year stint
with Nice.
The former Inter, Manchester City, Liverpool and AC Milan
striker is highly talented but he is also widely considered not
to have made the most of his natural gifts due to his
temperamental character.
He has frequently had strained relationships with coaches
during his career and been involved in a series of bizarre
off-field incidents.
He ended a four-year hiatus from the national team when he
was called up by Italy coach Roberto Mancini for some friendly
matches and a UEFA Nations League match against Poland last
year, but he has not featured for the Azzurri since.
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