Fans flock to Balotelli’s Brescia unveiling as striker reveals his ‘mum cried’ when she found out he would be signing for hometown club

MARIO BALOTELLI revealed his mum 'cried' when she found out he was signing for his hometown club Brescia.

The ex-Liverpool and Man City striker put pen to paper on a three-year-deal with the Serie A side and his mum was said to be beside herself upon hearing the news.

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Former Leeds owner Massimo Cellino owns the club and the eccentric Italian delayed the announcement of the 29-year-old's signing because of his superstitions.

The deal was done 15 minutes before midnight on August 16 as Cellino wanted to avoid doing business on the 17th.

VERY SUPERSTITIOUS

The number 17 is considered unlucky in Italian culture and Cellino follows the superstition.

But once the deal was announced, Balotelli made the endearing revelation about his mum.

He told .: "This is my home. When I told my mother that there was this possibility, she cried."

And in an apparent dig at his critics in the media he added: "It seems that you are more afraid of my failure than I am. I'm not afraid, zero. I'm fine, I'm serene."

Hundreds of Brescia fans flocked to the local hotel to catch a glimpse of Balotelli during his official unveiling on Monday evening.

Speaking in the 12-minute news conference, Super Mario said: "I came to Brescia because this is my city, I can't compare this team to any other. But the goal is also to return to the national team.

"When Brescia's offer arrived, I didn't think of anything else. There's is no fear of failing, I hope to help this team grow as much as possible."

While the move is a romantic one, questions were asked about Cellino's motivation behind the move.

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Many in Italy accused him of signing Balotelli to increase ticket and shirt sales rather than to improve the squad.

But Cellino hit back at such suggestions.

He said: "I purchased a footballer, not a reason to sell more season tickets. Help us to emphasise his merits and not his defects."

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