Balotelli leaves Liverpool on a free transfer

Nice - Controversial Italian international forward Mario Balotelli has joined Ligue 1's Nice from Liverpool, the French side said on their internet site on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old known as 'Super Mario', whose career has stalled over the last two years, has signed a permanent deal, Nice said.

Liverpool bought Balotelli from AC Milan for €25 million eurosin 2014 but a year later loaned him back to the Italian giants, where he managed a paltry one goal in 20 matches.