Its Official: Mario Balotelli is a Manchester City Player

Inter fans:  Savor this shot, rumor has it you won’t be seeing it anymore…

How many football fans does it take to crash their server? The answer to that question remains unknown- the number of football players, however, seems to be only one.  Manchester City is rumored to have confirmed their successful signing of Mario Balotelli on their website.  I say rumored because I haven’t see the proof myself since the website is down, presumably from football fans racing to see the evidence with their own eyes.

UPDATE:  After hitting the browser refresh button more times than I can count, I’ve finally seen it with my own eyes- and have added a screen shot at the bottom so you can see it with yours….

The Manchester City website also (allegedly) includes quotes from Mancini who explains why Balotelli will thrive in the EPL and expresses his own joy at working with him again (Would any of Mario’s other coaches say that?)…

I think that Mario is one of the best players of his age in Europe, and I very happy to be working with him again.

His style of play will suit the Premier League, and because he is still so young there is a big chance for him to improve. He is a strong and exciting player, and City fans will enjoy watching him.

There is no announcement on Inter’s websites and no pictures of Mario Balotelli in a City uniform- but this appears to be as official as it can be without those final pieces of evidence.

Its been a long, rumor filled courtship but the the two clubs (and Mario) have all finally agreed on terms which will see Balotelli tied to Manchester City for five years.  The deal was rumored to have cost around 29M Euros- but there is no official confirmation on that number. Spurs fans can breathe a sigh of relief, as Mario is not expected make his debut this weekend- which also coincides with the opening weekend of the EPL.

This transfer is definitely one to watch over the season – even though Mario will need some time to adjust to the new league, football fans will finally be able to see if Balotelli is the player we all think he is. His history with Mancini, who coached him at Inter, may make Manchester City the best environment to draw out the talented player and dump (or at least stifle) the attitude.  Mancini will be going into this 5-year deal with his eyes open- he knows what Mario is capable of both mentally and physically.

So, what are your predictions for Balotelli at Manchester City?  At the end of the season, will this be in the transfer success or bust column? 

Discuss this and more (depending on which side you are on)- at either The Offside-Manchester City or Inter blogs.

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Category: England, English Premier League, Europe, Leagues, Serie A, Transfer Talk, World Football