I would have preferred to stay in Italy, says Mario Balotelli

New Manchester City signing Mario Balotelli has revealed he would have preferred to stay in Italy and continue his career in Serie A.

The 20-year-old striker left treble winners Inter Milan to rejoin former coach Roberto Mancini in Manchester for the princely fee of £24 million.

But the highly-rated forward now says he would have preferred to continue to play in Italy.

“I’m sorry that I’m leaving Inter and Italy because I would have preferred to continue my career in my own country,” Balotelli said on his official website.

“I’m going where I hope to find the space I need to play which is very important to me: I need to play, to make mistakes, to learn and to play again. As well as a calm environment around me.”

“It’s been a difficult year: I’ve recognised my mistakes, but I think I’ve often been under and receiving end of criticism that at times has irritated me.”

He added: “Now all I am thinking about is playing well for my new club and in the Premier League.”

Balotelli made his debut for Inter as a 17-year-old in 2007 under the guidance of Mancini. The newly-capped Italian international made 86 appearances, scoring 28 goals.