Mario Balotelli could be playing in front of just 2,000 fans soon with the striker in talks over a shock move to join a Spanish third-tier side.

CF Intercity are ‘getting closer’ to striking a deal for Italian Balotelli, according to reports in Spain, however a deal is not over the line yet.

Balotelli is set for a shock move to Spain’s third tiergetty

Should the move go through, it’s reported by AS that the 34-year-old wouldn’t be able to be play until January at the earliest due to their senior squad being full.

Even if not registered to play, Balotelli could still join the club to get fully fit before his debut.

Intercity are a relatively new club having been founded in 2017.

The club play their football in the Alicante region of Spain with their home ground, the Estadio Antonio Solana, boasting a capacity of just 2,000.

Should a move come to fruition, the striker would become a teammate of ex-Middlesbrough and Birmingham City player Emilio Nsue, while playing against Atletico Madrid, Sevilla and Real Betis’ B teams who all play in the same division.

Representing Intercity would be the 12th club of his career to date.

Balotelli is a free agent after leaving Turkish side Adana Demirspor in June.

His scored seven goals in 16 games for the Turkish side last term in a campaign that was hampered by a serious knee injury.

Balotelli is one of Europe’s most memorable strikers having brought genius and chaos in equal measure during his career.

Getting his big break with Inter Milan in 2007, the striker joined Manchester City in 2010 and spent three years at the Etihad Stadium where he helped the club to their first ever Premier League title in 2012.

Balotelli was one of the Premier League’s most memorable strikers

After heading to AC Milan in 2013, Balotelli returned to England with Liverpool where he spent a season before heading back the San Siro one year later.

He then played for French clubs Nice, Marseille before going back to Italy with spells at Brescia and Monza, and then joining Adana Demirspor for the first time in 2021.

After a successful year, he joined Swiss outfit Sion for a season before returning to the Turkish side last summer.

Balotelli also scored 14 goals for Italy in 34 senior international caps.