Exclusive: Balotelli Signing Won’t Affect AC Milan’s Commercial Brand says Gandini

The signing of controversial striker Marion Balotelli will not affect AC Milan’s commercial brand according to the club’s Organizing Director, no rx Umberto Gandini.

Balotelli signed for the Serie A club from English Premier League champions Manchester City, discount and leaves behind a series of training ground bust-ups and other controversial episodes.

Speaking exclusively to iSportconnect however, Gandini said he does not expect the signing to negatively affect the image of the AC Milan brand. He said: “We brought back the starting centre forward of the Italian National Team because he is a strong player who can help us on the pitch right away.

“Any commercial consequence will be welcome, but merely a consequence. We do not acquire players for commercial purposes. But his arrival would hopefully help the team to win games which will assist the brand commercially. And that is our target.”

Milan started selling Balotelli shirts on their official website before the signing had officially gone through and Gandini revealed that Milan were hoping to profit from shirt sales: “More than 400 shirts have been sold overnight on our website worldwide , so the start is promising.

“However, it’s too early to say, but I am sure we will start to see a new AC Milan shirt number 45, around the world soon!”

Balotelli signed for AC Milan in a deal worth upwards of €20m ($27m). Replica AC Milan shirts with the striker’s name and number on the back are being sold for €82 ($111).

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