Balotelli joins Marseille on contract until end of season

Nice made the announcement of his departure with a statement on the club's official website which read: "While today officially marks the end of their collaboration, OGC Nice would like to thank Mario Balotelli for the last two and a half seasons.

"Already last season, there was talk of a transfer. But OGC Nice and the player decided to extend the relationship for another six months: One last challenge for everything that had gone before.

"And while it was the logical decision at the start of the season, the best option now is to part ways, with the termination of his contract, by mutual consent."

The former Inter Milan and Manchester City striker had been in prolific goalscoring form in Ligue 1 after leaving Liverpool for Nice in 2016.

Balotelli scored a total of 43 goals during his time on the French Riviera, 25 of which came in 36 appearances in all competitions last season, which earned him a recall to the Italy senior squad in May.

He was officially presented as a Marseille player shortly after Nice's announcement at a press conference, where it was confirmed he had signed a deal until the end of the season.

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