Problem child Balotelli back to Italy to join Milan

MILAN - Reuters

Italian player Mario Balotelli has been one of the most talked-about players in England during his one-and-a-half season spell at Manchester City. REUTERS photo

Mario Balotelli, whose wacky antics have filled the British newspapers almost daily in the last two and a half years, is set to return to Italy with AC Milan after a deal was agreed with Manchester City on Jan. 29.

The Italy striker, a boyhood Milan fan, first broke through at rivals Inter Milan and is returning home for a fee media reports have put at 20 million euros after a largely frustrating spell with the English champions.

Balotelli, who provided the crucial injury-time pass that set up Sergio Aguero for the dramatic Premier League title-winning goal last May, was one of the most talked-about players in England in the last two seasons.

Tales of the 22-year-old blowing up his bathroom with fireworks or walking into a school asking for the toilet have amused fans but supporters have felt shortchanged after he netted just 20 league goals since his 22-million move from Inter.

Even Jose Mourinho, Balotelli’s former coach at Inter, labelled him “unmanageable.”