Manchester City  and Italy striker Mario Balotelli has become a father after former girlfriend Raffaella Fico gave birth to a baby daughter.

The child has been named Pia according to Italian media.

She was born on Wednesday, five days earlier than expected, at the Clinica Mediterranea in Naples. Balotelli was not present at the birth. Various news outlets report that Balotelli will fly out to Italy to see his newly-born daughter and former girlfriend.

City faces crosstown rival Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday.