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2013 » January » 31 » Balotelli completes AC Milan transfer
Balotelli completes AC Milan transfer
Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli has completed his move to AC Milan, signing a four-and-a-half-year contract.
The two clubs agreed a deal on Tuesday afternoon for 20 million pounds that will be spread over five years, while the Italy international is taking a pay cut on his 110,000-pound-per-week salary to join the Serie A side. The 22-year-old Italy international brings an end to a controversial two-and-a-half-year stay in England with Roberto Mancini's side, during which he scored 20 goals in 54 league appearances before helping the club win both the Premier League title and FA Cup. A statement from the Serie A club read: "AC Milan announces that it has acquired from Manchester City Mario Balotelli, who has signed a contract until 30 June 2017." Balotelli told Mancehster City's website: "For sure I will remember my brilliant team-mates, the manager and all the supporters. "They are the best, they were great with me and I will always have a very special place in my heart for City, it's a great club with a great future. "I thank them for all of their support of me. Maybe one day we will see each other again." Meanwhile, Wigan have confirmed that Paul Scharner has returned to the club on loan from Hamburg after leaving the DW Stadium in 2010. The defender originally joined the Latics in 2005 from Norwegian side Brann, scoring on his debut against Arsenal, before eventually moving on to West Brom in 2010. The 32-year-old then made the switch to Germany at the end of last term but, after failing to cement his place in the Bundesliga team's XI due to an early injury, will now stay with his former side for the remainder of this season. "It really is fantastic to be back," he told the club's official website. "Wigan will always have a big place in my heart, so to be asked to come back and help the team now is something really special for me." The versatile player becomes Roberto Martinez's fourth signing of the January window, after Roger Espinoza, Joel Robles and Angelo Henriquez all made moves. QPR midfielder Alejandro Faurlin has joined Italian side Palermo on loan until the end of the season. The 26-year-old joined the west London outfit from Instituto in 2009 but an injury-blighted spell at the club has seen him fail to secure a regular spot. He becomes the latest player to be cast aside by new manager Harry Redknapp, who is looking to revamp the QPR squad in a bid to stay in the Premier League this season.
