Pelle signs for Shandong Luneng

Shandong Luneng have completed the signing of Graziano Pelle from Southampton for an undisclosed fee, the Premier League side have confirmed.

Pelle moved to St Mary’s Stadium from Feyenoord in 2014 and made 81 appearances for the club, scoring 30 goals.

The striker’s impact earned him a first Italy cap against Malta in October 2014, and his impressive displays culminated in a place in Antonio Conte’s squad for Euro 2016.

A Southampton statement read: “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 Italy international follows Sadio Mane and Victor Wanyama, who joined Liverpool and Tottenham respectively, out of the exit at St Mary’s.

However, Southampton – now under Claude Puel’s leadership since Ronald Koeman’s departure for Everton – are closing in on the signing of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg from Bayern Munich.

Shandong, coached by former Fulham boss Felix Magath, signed Papiss Cisse from Newcastle United on Saturday and sit 15th in the Chinese Super League.