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Rediff.com  » Sports » Soccer shots: Balotelli completes loan move to Milan from Liverpool

Soccer shots: Balotelli completes loan move to Milan from Liverpool

Last updated on: August 27, 2015 16:14 IST
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Mario Balotelli

IMAGE: Mario Balotelli will have a good behaviour clause inserted into his contract with Milan, banning extravagant haircuts and clothing and committing him to a healthy lifestyle. Photograph: Getty Images

Striker Mario Balotelli has completed his season-long loan move to AC Milan from Liverpool, both clubs confirmed on Thursday.

The controversial striker failed to make an impact at Anfield last season and scored just one goal in 16 Premier League appearances as Liverpool finished sixth in the table.

The 25-year-old Italian joined Liverpool last season for a reported fee of 16 million pounds from Milan but was repeatedly criticised for his poor work rate during his time in England.

Balotelli, who also played for Manchester City, had a relatively successful and uneventful spell in Milan, scoring 18 goals in 41 Serie A appearances in one-and-a-half seasons.

He will have a good behaviour clause inserted into his contract with Milan, banning extravagant haircuts and clothing and committing him to a healthy lifestyle.

Ozil says he needs to be selfish and more...

Mesut Oezil

Arsenal's Mesut Oezil, right, takes on Liverpool's Lucas Leiva. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images

Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil says he can score more goals by being 'a bit more selfish' but will continue to put the team ahead of any personal glory.

Ozil joined the Gunners two seasons ago for a club record fee of 42.5 million pounds ($65.9 million), making him the most expensive German player in football history.

The World Cup winner has since scored nine goals to go with 17 assists in 51 Premier League appearances for Arsenal.

"I want to score more goals than in the last two seasons and that's my aim for this season," the 26-year-old, who was challenged by manager Arsene Wenger to score more than 10 goals this campaign, told the club website.

"I think now and then I need to become a bit more selfish -- then I'd definitely score more goals.

"But I'm a player who thinks for the team first and not for my own needs and that's why I will carry on to play the way I always do.

"I think that's one of my distinguishing characteristics," the former Real Madrid midfielder added.

Currently ninth in the league with four points from three games, Arsenal travel to St James' Park to face Newcastle United on Saturday with Ozil eyeing his first goal of the season.

Rodriguez targets England recall

Jay Rodriguez

Southampton's Jay Rodriguez applauds. Photograph: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Southampton forward Jay Rodriguez has set his sights on an England recall for next month's Euro 2016 qualifiers against San Marino and Switzerland despite his manager's reservations over the player's fitness.

Rodriguez, who has made one appearance for the national side against Chile in 2013, has recently recovered from a serious knee injury that kept him out for the entire 2014-15 season and ended his hopes of playing at the World Cup in Brazil last year.

Roy Hodgson is due to name his squad for the qualifiers on Sunday and Rodriguez, who scored his first goal of the season in a Europa League tie against Midtjylland last week, hopes he has done enough to be part of the England manager's plans.

"Of course, it was the highlight of my career to go and represent my country. It's the best thing for a player to do that," the 26-year-old was quoted as saying in the British media, also alluding to his recovery from injury.

"I'm just concentrating week-by-week to get as much match fitness and sharpness as I can, and try and take confidence from each game. It's a case of taking it slowly and hopefully it comes," Rodriguez added.

England top Group E of the Euro 2016 qualifiers on a maximum 18 points from six fixtures and travel to San Marino on Sept. 5 before hosting Switzerland at Wembley three days later.

De Bruyne Man City move nears completion

Kevin de Bruyne

Wolfsburg's Kevin de Bruyne in action. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images

VfL Wolfsburg attacking midfielder Kevin De Bruyne's transfer to Manchester City could be nearing completion, German and English media said on Thursday, with the player's agent also hoping for the deal to be sealed soon.

City have made repeated offers for the German league's player of the year and the 24-year-old is seen as all but certain to move to the Premier League this season for what is reported to be a record fee of 74 million euros ($84.03 million) for a Bundesliga player.

De Bruyne, who joined in 2014 from Chelsea after loan spells with Genk and Werder Bremen, has a contract at Wolfsburg until 2019.

His agent Patrick De Koster was quoted by several media outlets as saying the deal had not been completed but could be soon.

"We are relaxed about the situation and we will see what happens in the next day or two," De Koster said. "Kevin is not desperate to leave Wolfsburg but hopefully there will be a conclusion soon."

The Belgian international was in stellar form last season, scoring 10 goals and providing 21 assists as the Wolves finished Bundesliga runners-up last season. Wolfsburg also clinched the German Cup.

Nolan leaves West Ham by mutual consent

Kevin Nolan

West Ham United's Kevin Nolan during the pre season friendly match. Photograph: Tony Marshall/Getty Images

West Ham United have confirmed that midfielder and former skipper Kevin Nolan has left the club by mutual consent, bringing an end to a four-year spell at the Hammers.

The 33-year-old scored 31 goals in 157 games for the club since joining from Newcastle United in June 2011.

He captained West Ham to promotion via a Championship playoff final in his first season and finished as the Hammers' leading scorer in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons.

However, Nolan has found his appearances limited under new manager Slaven Bilic and did not start any of the club's three Premier League games this season, with midfielder Mark Noble taking the armband instead.

"West Ham United would like to thank Kevin for his considerable effort and commitment over the past four seasons and wish him all the very best for the future, on and off the football pitch," the club said in a statement on its website.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed my time at West Ham United and will take some great memories with me. I'm now looking forward to the next challenge playing for a new club," Nolan said.

Bayern extend Thiago contract by two years to 2019

Thiago Alcantara

FC Bayern Muenchen's Thiago in action. Photograph: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

Midfielder Thiago Alcantara has extended his contract with German champions Bayern Munich by two years to 2019, the club said on Thursday.

The versatile 24-year-old Spain international, who joined from Barcelona in 2013, suffered a severe knee injury that saw him sidelined for much of last season before coming back in April.

"We are happy that Thiago decided to stay at Bayern for the long term," said club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in a statement. "He is young and an important player for the future of the club."

Thiago, brought to Bayern by former Barca coach Pep Guardiola, has played 41 matches in all competitions for the Bavarians and also took part in both of this season's Bundesliga games so far as the club chases a record fourth straight league title.

Stoke's Walters says he wants to stay as contract talks drag on

 Jonathan Walters

Stoke City's Jonathan Walters. Photograph: Dave Thompson/Getty Images

Stoke City forward Jonathan Walters wants to stay with the Potters and continue his longest-ever stint at the same club despite the prolonged negotiations over his contract, the Sentinel reported.

The 31-year-old was the subject of a failed bid from NorwichCity last week and has been widely tipped to leave the Britannia Stadium after entering the final year of his current deal.

"Of course I'd be disappointed if I had to leave the club," Walters said.

"I want to stay. I've been here five years, this is my sixth season and it's the longest I've been at any club," he added.

Manager Mark Hughes has made it clear that he wants to keep Walters and said earlier this week that the player would probably be allowed to run down the rest of his contract and leave for free next year if a deal could not be reached.

Walters admitted there was still doubt over whether he would sign a new contract.

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