Mario Balotelli signs with Genoa and returns to Serie A after 4 years

GENOA, Italy (AP) — Mario Balotelli signed with relegation-threatened Genoa on Monday to mark his return to Serie A after more than four years.

The 34-year-old Balotelli last played in Italy’s top division with hometown club Brescia in 2019-20. His last appearance for any Italian club was with Monza in Serie B in 2020-21.

Balotelli left Turkish club Adana Demirsport after last season and with no transfer fee was a cheap option for financially struggling Genoa, which had just two shots on target in a 3-0 loss at Lazio on Sunday for its fifth defeat in six matches.

The former Italy striker could make his Genoa debut on Thursday against Fiorentina.

“I really don't want to talk much; I want to play,” Balotelli said before undergoing a medical with Genoa. “I hope I’m ready soon.”

Balotelli has also played for Inter Milan and AC Milan in Serie A.

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Mario Balotelli, left, listens to Genoa's head coach Alberto Gilardino during a training session in Genoa, Italy, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024. (Tano Pecoraro/LaPresse via AP)

Mario Balotelli, left, and Genoa's head coach Alberto Gilardino attend a training session in Genoa, Italy, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024. (Tano Pecoraro/LaPresse via AP)

Mario Balotelli and Genoa sports director Marco Ottolini pose with Balotelli's jersey in Genoa, Italy, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024. (Tano Pecoraro/LaPresse via AP)

FILE - Udinese's Rodrigo De Paul, right, and Brescia's Mario Balotelli vie for the ball, during the Italian Serie A soccer match at the Mario Rigamonti stadium in Brescia, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020. (Gianluca Checchi/LaPresse via AP, File)

FILE - Brescia's Mario Balotelli reacts during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Brescia and Udinese at the Mario Rigamonti stadium in Brescia, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020. (Gianluca Checchi/LaPresse via AP, File)

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A gas cylinder explosion early Sunday after a wedding reception at a home in Pakistan’s capital killed at least eight people, including the bride and groom, police and officials said.

The blast occurred as guests who had gathered to celebrate the couple were sleeping at the house, causing part of the house to collapse, according to the Islamabad police. Seven people were injured.

In a statement, police said the explosion occurred in a residential area in the heart of the city. A government administrator, Sahibzada Yousaf, said authorities were alerted about the blast early Sunday and officers are still investigating. He said some nearby homes were also damaged.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives and offered condolences to the victims’ families, according to a statement from his office. He directed health authorities to ensure the injured receive the best possible treatment and ordered a full investigation.

Many Pakistani households rely on liquefied petroleum gas cylinders because of low natural gas pressure, and such cylinders have been linked to deadly accidents caused by gas leaks. Police said investigations were ongoing.

Government officials survey the damage of a home caused by a gas cylinder explosion hours after a wedding reception, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ehsan Shahzad)