Saints sign Pelle.
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Southampton have signed Italian striker Graziano Pelle from Feyenoord for an undisclosed fee.
The 28-year-old, who represented his country at the 2008 Olympic Games, has put pen to paper on a three-year contract.
Pelle arrives in England on the back of two excellent seasons in the Netherlands.
He scored 55 goals in 66 first-team games for Feyenoord, where he worked under new Saints boss Ronald Koeman.
Koeman and Pelle had previously worked together at AZ Alkmaar as well.
Pelle is Southampton’s second summer signing, after Serbia international midfielder Dusan Tadic arrived at St Mary’s from FC Twente on Tuesday.
Lecce-born Pelle appears to be a direct replacement for England frontman Rickie Lambert, who left Southampton to join Liverpool last month.
Lambert, 32, scored 13 goals and provided 10 assists in 37 Premier League games last season.
Pelle netted 23 times and made six assists in 28 Eredivisie matches.
Lambert made 54 key passes, completed nine successful dribbles and won 18 free-kicks.
Despite playing in fewer matches, Pelle made 57 key passes, completed 16 successful dribbles and won 62 free-kicks.
Pelle is likely to make his Southampton debut on the third weekend in August when the Saints face Lambert’s Liverpool at Anfield.
We’re very pleased to announce the signing of Graziano Pellè. Welcome to #SaintsFC, @GPelle9! #SaintGraziano pic.twitter.com/XLGQh1VVvv
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) July 12, 2014
Italian striker @GPelle9 signs a three-year deal and joins #SaintsFC from @Feyenoord. #SaintGraziano pic.twitter.com/mw9TBMsGdG
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) July 12, 2014
Pellè: “@Koeman1963 and I worked together for two amazing years at @Feyenoord, and I hope that it will be the same here.” #SaintGraziano
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) July 12, 2014
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