Soccer-Nice sign Balotelli from Liverpool

Aug 31 ( Reuters) - Nice have signed striker Mario Balotelli from Liverpool, the clubs said on Wednesday, with British media saying the Italy international has moved on a free transfer.

The 26-year-old joined Liverpool from AC Milan in 2014 but never fulfilled his potential at Anfield.

"We hope that, at Nice, with a family atmosphere, (Mario) will rediscover the pleasure of playing," Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere told the club's website (www.ogcnice.com).

"We know, him and us, that it's not going to be easy, but with desire and, I hope, the backing of all of our supporters, we are going to help him to blossom and to bring all of his talent to the team's service."

He scored one goal in 16 Premier League appearances in his first campaign at the Merseyside club and was sent back to Milan on loan last season where he found the net once in 20 appearances during an injury-hit campaign.

Balotelli, one of modern football's mavericks, won the Champions League and three Serie A titles with Inter Milan and lifted the Premier League and the FA Cup during a 2-1/2 year spell with Manchester City. (Reporting by Ed Dove; editing by Ken Ferris)