Mario Balotelli had an extremely bizarre clause in his Liverpool contract, according to a stunning report.
Balotelli spent just one season at Anfield following his £16 million transfer from AC Milan in the summer of 2016 and would go onto call Brendan Rodgers the 'worst coach he ever had' during his career.
But Rodgers made sure Liverpool secured his services as the club inserted a bizarre clause in his deal.
Balotelli had a clause inserted into his contract that would reward him £1 million-per-year should he avoid being sent off three times during each season he played for the Reds, according to Football Leaks: The Dirty Business of Football.
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Before joining Liverpool, the star forward had received his marching orders seven times during his career.
Fortunately for his bank balance, he managed to avoid picking up a red card during his spell at Anfield.
"If during each season of the term of this contract the player is not dismissed from the field of play on three or more occasions for violent conduct, spitting, for using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures and/or for dissent... then on the June 30 at the end of each season he shall receive a bonus payment of £1 million," the book states on Balotelli's clause.
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The clause was a success for Balotelli, who pocketed himself a cool £1 million on June 30, 2015.
The Italian returned to Italy as he re-joined Milan on loan before sealing a permanent switch to Nice.
Of course, his time at Liverpool wasn't his only spell in the Premier League as he enjoyed two-and-a-half-seasons at Manchester City, famously setting up Sergio Aguero's legendary winner against Queens Park Rangers in the 2011/12 season.
He scored 30 goals in 80 appearances in all competitions for the Blues before signing for Milan in January 2013.
Topics: Liverpool, Mario Balotelli, Football
Nasir Jabbar