Manchester City have completed the signing of Mario Balotelli from Inter Milan.

The Eastlands outfit have landed the Italy striker on a five-year deal after agreeing an undisclosed fee with Inter thought to be around £24million.

City boss Roberto Mancini told the club's website: "I think that Mario is one of the best players of his age in Europe, and I very happy to be working with him again.

"His style of play will suit the Premier League, and because he is still so young there is a big chance for him to improve. He is a strong and exciting player, and City fans will enjoy watching him."

Balotelli admits he is leaving Inter with regret, but felt he had no choice following a difficult year.

"Soon I'll be starting on a new adventure," he wrote on his website. "I'm sorry that I'm leaving Inter and Italy because I would have preferred to continue my professional career in my own country.

"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 pressure and on the receiving end of criticism that at times has irritated me.

"Now all I'm thinking about is playing well for my new club and in the Premier League. I really want to give it my best try!

"I'd like to thank my family, who have supported me with so much patience and affection, through both the good times and the difficult periods.

"I also want to thank club chairman Moratti, the team I've shared so many victories with, the fans who've supported me, my entourage and my friends."

Mario Balotelli factfile

1990:
Born August 12 in Palermo to Ghanaian immigrants.

1993:
Adopted by an Italian couple, taking the name Balotelli.

2005:
Makes debut for Lumezzane in a Serie C1 league match against Padova, making him the youngest player to appear in Serie C at 15 years and 289 days.

2006:
Signs for Inter Milan, initially on loan with a view to a permanent move.

2007:
August 7 - Receives first senior international call-up from Ghana coach Claude Le Roy for a friendly against Senegal. Declines the offer, citing his wish to play for Italy when he becomes eligible at the age of 18.

December 16 - Makes Inter debut in Serie A against Cagliari.

December 19 - Scores in first start for Inter in a 4-1 victory over Reggina in the Coppa Italia.

2008:
April 6 - Makes first Serie A start for the Nerazzurri, scoring one and setting the other up in a 2-0 win over Atalanta. Ends season with three goals in 11 appearances as Inter win league title.

September 5 - Scores on Italy Under-21 debut in a European Under-21 Championship qualifier against Greece. Also on target twice in the second leg of the play-off against Israel, securing Italy's passage to the finals in Sweden.

November - Becomes youngest Inter Milan goalscorer in the Champions League, netting against Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta. Balotelli is dropped from the squad with coach Jose Mourinho citing a poor attitude.

2009:
January - Mourinho again drops Balotelli from first-team squad for the second half of January, saying: "As far as I'm concerned a young boy like him cannot allow himself to train less than people like (Luis) Figo, (Ivan) Cordoba or (Javier) Zanetti."

June - Called up for the European Under-21 Championship in Sweden. Scores the opening goal against the hosts but shown a straight red card just before half-time in Italy's 2-1 win. Recalled for semi-final against Germany but Azzurrini lose 1-0.

November - Mourinho says Balotelli "came close to a zero rating" after 1-1 draw with Roma.

2010:
March - Left out of the squad for Inter's Champions League last-16 second leg against Chelsea. Apologises after being pictured wearing a rival AC Milan shirt.

April 20 - Again causes controversy after Champions League semi-final first-leg win over Barcelona by throwing his Inter shirt to the ground. Brandished a "child" by Inter star Dejan Stankovic and dropped for a number of games including the return leg at the Nou Camp.

May - Returns to Inter squad for final two league games of the Serie A season. Inter retain Serie A crown and Balotelli is an unused substitute as Inter beat Bayern Munich to win Champions League.

June - Not included in Marcello Lippi's Italy World Cup squad.

July 14 - Inter Milan sporting director Marco Branca calls Balotelli "priceless" following speculation linking him with move away from San Siro.

August 13 - After chasing Balotelli for much of the summer, Manchester City confirm his signing on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee.