A couple of days ago, Papiss Cisse bid farewell to Newcastle United fans as he signed for Shandong Luneng. This Monday, it has been announced that Italian striker Graziano Pelle is set to join Cisse in the same club, far away in China.
On their website, Southampton FC stated:
"Southampton Football Club can confirm striker Graziano Pellè has joined Chinese side Shandong Luneng for an undisclosed fee.
"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."
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
Graziano Pelle captured people's attention during the just-ended UEFA Euro 2016, not just for his good looks according to the public but also for his influence throughout Italy's campaign. He scored injury-time goals to round up Italy's triumphs over Belgium on Matchday 1 and Spain in the Last 16.
He was however among the players who missed their spot kicks in the penalty shoot-out against Germany in the quarter-finals. In the Chinese Super League, he will be competing against the likes of Colombian forward Jackson Martinez, Argentine star Ezequiel Lavezzi and former Brazilian Chelsea midfielder, Ramires.
Pelle's career statistics read 355 appearances and 114 goals at nine different clubs. Thirty of the 30-year-old's goals came in 81 games during his two-year spell with the Saints. He will turn 31 on July 15th.
