He arrived at a press conference 10 minutes late. Smiling, calm. On his side a coach and a friend: Roberto Mancini. Mario Balotelli spoke about his new adventure in England: "I had a lot of teams in for me in the summer, but my first choice was always Manchester City. I told my agent that. The reason is the manager and the good professional environment at the club."

"It was very important that Roberto Mancini is the manager here. It was one of the most important factors in my move - if he wasn't here, I probably wouldn't have come.

"He gave me my start in the senior team at Inter and he showed faith in me. I was sorry to leave my family and friends in Italy, but I'm very happy to be here at City from a professional point of view.

No regrets for leaving Italy: "I am sorry for my family and friends, but not for football. I am here to play and I'll do my best to be a first liner. I am not a bad boy, I am just a normal guy."

On Moratti: "He is a great president. I had a good relationship with him".

On the Premier League: "I am happy to play in England because here there is no racism". He's nicknamed "The Hammer" by team-mates who have witnessing his finishing power. He said: "It's true I shoot quite well! I will fit in the Premier League. For a striker, it's a good league."