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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Balotelli on the move

 (Associated Press)

Liverpool signed Italy striker Mario Balotelli from AC Milan for 16 million pounds ($26.5 million) on Monday, taking a calculated gamble on a headline-grabbing player known as much for his controversies as his goals. Nineteen months after ending a 2 1/2-year spell with Manchester City to play for his boyhood club, Balotelli will return to the English Premier League as a replacement for Luis Suarez. “I’m happy to be back because I left England and it was a mistake,” Balotelli said. “I wanted to go to Italy but I realized it was a mistake.” Balotelli, who has signed what Liverpool said is a “long-term deal,” has already trained at his new club and attended the team’s Premier League game against City at Etihad Stadium on Monday. He wasn’t registered in time to play. – AP