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BALO ROARS

Mario Balotelli fathers his first son with mystery model and names him LION

The former Manchester City and Liverpool striker has a four-year-old daughter, Pia, with ex Raffaella Fico

MARIO BALOTELLI has fathered his first son and promptly named him LION.

The madcap former Manchester City and Liverpool striker has a four-year-old daughter, Pia, with ex Raffaella Fico.

 Mario Balotelli has fathered his first son with his new partner
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Mario Balotelli has fathered his first son with his new partnerCredit: Reuters
 Balotelli posted this picture on social media on September 8
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Balotelli posted this picture on social media on September 8Credit: Instagram @mb459

Italy international Balo, 27, can now dream of his son following his career footsteps after his new partner gave birth on Thursday.

Known only as Clelia, she is a Switzerland-based bank worker and part-time model. The footballer has kept his romance with the 26-year-old secret.

The first clue Balotelli was expecting to be a dad once more came when he posted a picture of a pregnant woman's belly on social media earlier this month with the caption: "Loading."

The player joined Nice last summer after Liverpool released him.

He has since scored 24 goals in 36 games for the French Ligue 1 club.

 Italy international Balo appears to be enjoying himself at Nice
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 Italy international Balo appears to be enjoying himself at NiceCredit: AFP
 Balotelli has started this season with five goals in six games
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Balotelli has started this season with five goals in six gamesCredit: AFP

He has had a turbulent private life. He took over a year to admit he was Pia's father after a DNA test.

Balotelli got engaged to Belgian model Fanny Neguesha in 2013, only for them to split up the following year.

Signed from Inter Milan, he won the Premier League and FA Cup with City before joining AC Milan in 2013.

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