adminTHE Southampton and Italy striker Graziano Pellè has completed his move to Chinese club Shandong Luneng for an undisclosed fee though recent reports had put his fee at £13m. Pellè, who moved from Feyenoord two years ago, had a further year remaining on his contract at Southampton, who were believed to have been reluctant to offer an extension. “Everyone at Southampton would like to thank Graziano for his efforts during his time at St Mary’s and wish him well for the future,” read a club statement.
The forward, who turns 31 this week, moved to St Mary’s from Feyenoord in the summer of 2014, making 81 appearances and scoring 30 goals before going on to lead the Italy front line at European Championship this summer.
“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,” the club said in a statement on its website.
Pellè is understood to have been eyeing a move to China since January, hence Southampton’s purchase of Charlie Austin from Queens Park Rangers. — The Guardian
Online Reporter