Southampton have confirmed that striker Graziano Pelle has completed a move to Chinese Super League club Shandong Luneng, signing a two-and-a-half year deal.
The 30-year-old joined Saints from Feyernoord two years ago and reached double figures for goals in successive Premier League seasons, helping the club to seventh and sixth place finishes.
Pelle scored 11 goals in 30 Premier League appearances last season to become Saints’ joint-top scorer, with an overall record of 30 goals in 81 appearances in all competitions.
He will be remembered fondly by Saints fans for his commendable work ethic and spectacular goals, including an overhead kick against Queens Park Rangers in his debut season.
A statement on the club website said: “Everyone at Southampton Football Club would like to thank Graziano for his efforts during his time at St Mary’s and wish him well for the future.”
Pelle will line up alongside former Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse, who joined Luneng for £5m last week.
📰OFFICIAL: Shandong Luneng Taishan FC have signed Italian ST Graziano Pellè from Southampton FC. #GoShandong ⚽💪 pic.twitter.com/IYaTpfEsQx
— Shandong Luneng (@sdlnts1993) July 11, 2016
The Italian becomes the third player to leave Southampton this summer, after Victor Wanyama’s £11m transfer to Tottenham and Sadio Mane’s £34m move to Liverpool.
Pelle had signed a three-year deal when he joined from Feyenoord and the 30- year-old, who turns 31 in a few days, had just one year remaining on his deal.
Southampton signed Queen Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin for a reported £4m in January, and with Jay Rodriguez returning from injury and Shane Long also on the books they are not short of options.
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