Italy and Southampton striker completes China switch

After a somewhat successful Euro 2016 campaign with Italy, striker Graziano Pelle has completed a move to Chinese club Shandong Luneng.

Pelle scored twice for the Azzurri during the tournament in France and had been playing for English Premier League side Southampton since 2014, with his career enduring something of a rebirth since his move to England.

However, the 30-year-old’s next destination will be in the Chinese Super League with Shandong Luneng, as announced on the club’s Twitter account with a picture of the Italian in their orange kit.

Calciomercato.com also reports that Pelle has signed a two-and-a-half year contract worth €35 million across two years to help the club’s troubles in the Chinese league.

They finished second-last last season with just 13 points from 16 games but will hope Pelle’s attacking power will help them climb up the table.