OFFICIAL: Southampton sign Graziano Pellè

Graziano Pellè has signed a three-year deal with Saints, completing a transfer from Feyenoord for a fee of €8m + bonuses.

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Thanks DTLW great pics. Can we have more please?

 

If he can repay a little of RK's faith in him, we'll do alright.

 

Don't like the signing, but am obviously going to give him a chance to prove me wrong and support him whilst he plays, so FORZA GRAZIANO

 

I'll take that. He'll need to change his Twitter handle.

 

Graziano Pellè:

"I had some teams interested in me, but this is going to be the best choice for me because the club wants to keep improving every year. The talks between us were only short in terms of how long it took to convince each other. I was pretty sure that, for me, this would be a great step."

Koeman and I worked together for two amazing years at Feyenoord, and I hope that it will be the same here.

There are many good things about this club other than the trainer. The Premier League is amazing, and Southampton is showing year-by-year that it wants to improve. Last year, everyone in Europe was impressed by the performances of the team, and it’s clear that the club is growing. It’s great to be here."

 

Ronald Koeman:

"I had Graziano in my team for my last two years at Feyenoord. He scored a lot of goals – more than 50 in two seasons – and they brought a lot of points to the club. Goals mean points, and we needed a good player in that position after Rickie Lambert left.

In terms of his qualities, he’s a tall striker with a lot of movement and he’s fast. He’s a player who gives confidence to the team because he keeps the ball, and he’s very dangerous in front of goal. He’s almost 29 years old, so he brings a little bit of experience to a young team.

Overall, we’re pleased to have brought in Graziano after signing Dušan Tadić earlier this week. This shows we are committed to strengthening the team and progressing after last season.

We know that we need some more players because we haven’t occupied all of the positions. We need more players to bring the squad to where we need and expect."

 

I'm happy with this signing. Koeman obviously rates him and thinks he can do a job for us. I reckon he'll be a big hit!

 

Pellè's message to the Feyenoord fans on their official website:

"I felt I was ready for the next step in my career. I'm glad I get a chance in what is, for me and for many, the biggest competition in the world.

I will always be a very positive feeling to look back on my time in Rotterdam, Feyenoord is the best and most talented team I've played for thus far in my career.

We go our separate ways now, but I wish all the best to Feyenoord next season and in the more distant future."

 

Let's hope has a good start so the crowd don't get on his back. He has big boots to fill.

 

Lost of people said Lambert couldn't cut it in the Premier League, so let's hope Pelle proves them just as wrong.

 

Lots of them also said he wouldn't cut it in the championship either. Just goes to show how wrong fans can be. Seems some have already written this guy off too.

 

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Graziano Pellè on Twitter:

"Proud to have signed at this wonderful PL club: @SouthamptonFC I'am looking forward to a great and successful season."

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So he cost about half as much as Osvaldo. So if he scores 2 goals it would make him better value

 

Good positive stuff.

 

Pellè has updated his Twitter profile: https://twitter.com/GPelle9


"Official twitteraccount, Southampton FC, Centre Forward, #19"

 

His Twitter bio suggests that he will wear the #19 shirt

 

He's put #19 on his twitter bio....so presumably he'll be number 19

 

Well at least he's good looking