Southampton striker Graziano Pelle completes £12m move to China

Southampton striker Graziano Pelle has completed his £12 million move to Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng.

The attacker, who turns 31 later this week, spent two seasons with the south coast outfit following a move from Feyenoord in 2014, scoring 30 goals in 81 appearances in all competitions and helping them qualify for the Europa League group stages in his final campaign as the club finished sixth in the Premier League.

The Italy international, who starred for his nation at this summer’s European Championships, scoring twice, is the third player to leave St Mary’s during the close season following the departures of Victor Wanyama and Sadio Mane to Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool respectively.

Shandong Luneng are managed by former Fulham boss Felix Magath, and have recently signed Papiss Cisse from Newcastle United.

Meanwhile, the Saints are closing in on a £12.8 million deal for Bayern Munich midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, who is undertaking a medical with the club on Monday.