Mario Balotelli joins AC Milan on loan from Liverpool

Balotelli signed for Liverpool from Milan 12 months ago in a £16 million deal but has hugely underperformed during his time at the club.

The Italy international scored just once in 16 Premier League appearances last season as he continually failed to impress manager Brendan Rodgers.

His record during his previous spell at Milan was more impressive though, with the striker netting 30 goals in 54 appearances between January 2013 and June 2014.

Balotelli's career has been dogged by controversy and doubts over his professionalism, but he insists he is ready to show he has matured as he returns to Milan.

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"I feel like someone who has just put the first part of his career to one side," Balotelli told Gazzetta dello Sport. "Played and lived like a boy. But the ‘match’ is not over.

"Now I will have my say and live like a man. I know that many people don’t believe in my comeback. But I have to try. And have the belief that I can do it.

"I have a promise to keep to myself, my family, Milan, Mihajlovic, Raiola and all those that want the best for me… I know that I cannot make any more mistakes. I will accept all of the rules. I haven’t forgotten how to play football."

Balotelli needed to make a clean break and a return to Milan should hopefully help him regain some of the form which once made him one of Europe's most highly-regarded strikers, instead of a waste of talent. Balotelli is talking a good game about a change in attitude but it will take a lot of hard work before people believe he has really changed.