Bromance blossoms between Drake and Mario Balotelli

Drake has reportedly made good friends with Mario Balotelli and dined out with him before a live show in Manchester earlier this week.

The 'Headlines' rapper gave striker Balotelli a shout out from the stage of the M.E.N. Arena an according to the Manchester Evening News he had dined with the footballer on Saturday evening. It is claimed that Balotelli and Drake ate at the Zouk Tea Bar & Grill in Manchester shortly after the Manchester City team's 3-3 draw with Sunderland.

Speaking about his 'new family member' on stage in Manchester, Drake said of Balotelli: “No matter what team he's in, he's an amazing football player.”

However, cult icon Balotelli did not join Drake for his official after party at Manchester's Bijou Club on Sunday evening. Instead he was left to mingle with the stars of Coronation Street, such is the life of a glamorous A-List rapper.

Drake did, however, hold better company in London last week when Rihanna, Florence Welch and The xx were spotted watching him perform.

Check out Drake live in Manchester below