Mario Balotelli has become a dad for the second time - and has named his son Lion.

The former Liverpool and Manchester City striker - who now play for Nice - has a four-year-old daughter from a previous relationship with Italian TV presenter Raffaella Fico.

The mother of Balotelli's second child is not known but she is believed to be an Italian he met while on holiday in Sardinia.

Reports have suggested she is a 26-year-old bank worker and part-time model based in Switzerland.

Lion is believed to have been born on Thursday and Balotelli posted a picture on Instagram of a stairway to heavin with the caption "Felicita", meaning happiness.

Balotelli with his daughter Pia (
Image:
mb459/Instagram)
Balotelli posted a picture which appeared to be of his pregnant girlfriend (
Image:
mb459/Instagram)

Balotelli, 27, previously demanded a paternity test to prove he was the father of Pia.

He was accused of being "irresponsible" and "not interstd" by the mother of his child. Balotelli finally accepted paternity in 2014.

A year earlier he became engaged to girlfriend Fanny Neguesha but they split eighteen months later.

The Italian international has had a colourful career, creating headlines throughout his stay in England.

Balotelli spent three years at City and two years at Liverpool, with a year at AC Milan sandwiched inbetween.

He has scored six goals in eight games for Nice this season after hitting 17 last term.