Liverpool transfer news: Mario Balotelli 'completes free transfer' to Nice

The 26-year-old striker has agreed personal terms and passed a medical with the Ligue 1 club

(Getty)

Mario Balotelli has joined Nice on a free transfer, ending his nightmare two-year-spell at Liverpool.

The 26-year-old striker has agreed personal terms and passed a medical with the Ligue 1 club ahead of Wednesday’s 11.00pm transfer deadline.

Nice's president Jean-Pierre Rivere said: “We are very pleased to welcome Mario.

“We hope that Nice, in a family atmosphere, will help him rediscover his joy for the game. We both know that nothing will be easy, but with the desire and support of all our fans, we’ll help him to flourish and bring his talent to the service of the team.”

Balotelli was deemed to be surplus to requirements by Jurgen Klopp, haing spent last season on loan at Milan.

The Italy international arrived at Anfield from the Serie A club in 2014 for £16m but failed to live up to expectations, scoring just four goals in 28 appearances.

Balotelli was signed by former manager Brendan Rodgers in what was described by many as a ‘low risk’ deal, yet Rodgers soon grew frustrated with the Italian’s poor work rate.

The former Manchester City striker returned to Milan on loan last summer but suffered yet another disappointing campaign, registering three goals in 23 games.

Although Balotelli returned to training at Melwood earlier this summer, Klopp made it clear to the 26-year-old that he would not feature in his first-team plans this season.

Balotelli, once rated as one of the best young talents in Europe, will now hope to revive his career in the south of France.

The Italian's departure follows that of Luis Alberto to Lazio for £4.7m.