Mario Balotelli has completed his £16million move from AC Milan to Liverpool

Balotelli returns to England after an 18-month absence having scored 30 goals with AC Milan

Mario Balotelli has completed his £16million move from AC Milan to Liverpool on a three-year deal. The former Manchester City striker will earn £125,000-a-week at Anfield, and will be in attendance to watch Liverpool's game against his former employers on Monday night.

'Whenever I played Liverpool, the fans weren't very nice... but now they're happy': Super Mario signs on at Liverpool in £16m deal as Rodgers hails the 'smart business' in bringing the maverick back.

►Mario Balotelli signs three-year contract with Liverpool, with the Italian striker costing £16million from AC Milan
►Former Manchester City star will wear the No 45 shirt at Anfield and trained alone at Melwood on Monday
►The 24-year-old will earn £125,000-a-week at Liverpool, and will watch his new side's clash with City at the Etihad
►Balotelli: 'Liverpool are one of the best teams here in England and the football is very good here'
►The Italian added: 'I'm happy to be back because I left England and it was a mistake

Mario Balotelli has completed his £16million move from AC Milan to Liverpool on a three-year deal.

The 24-year-old arrived at Melwood on Monday afternoon to put the finishing touches to the transfer before undergoing a one-on-one session with Liverpool's head of conditioning and fitness, Ryland Morgans.

The former Manchester City striker will earn £125,000-a-week at Anfield, and will be in attendance to watch Liverpool's game against his former employers on Monday night.

Balotelli told the Liverpool club website: 'I'm very happy. We've been talking about coming here and now I'm happy to be here. Liverpool are one of the best teams here in England and the football is very good here.

'It's a great team with young players, and that's why I came here.'

He has won the Premier League with Manchester City in 2012, the Champions League with Inter Milan in 2010, three Serie A championships and the FA Cup, plus 33 caps for Italy during which he has scored 13 goals including the strike that accounted for England in the World Cup. He has also had a colourful career and has often fallen out with his managers.

Balotelli, who has the option of a fourth year when his new contract runs out in 2017, also admitted he was surprised by the reaction he got from Liverpool fans upon his arrival.

He added: 'I didn't expect [the incredible reception from fans] because I've always been playing against Liverpool. Whenever I played against Liverpool, the fans weren't nice with me but that's normal - it's football!