Southampton Transfers: 5 Reasons Why Graziano Pelle Is Perfect For Saints

He's big, he's strong and he's been a goal machine in the past two years. But can he replace Rickie Lambert?

By David Keeble /

Marco Vasini/AP/Press Association ImagesWith Southampton looking to rebuild after a summer that has seen their top talents leave the club, Graziano Pelle has signed for the Saints from Feyenoord for a fee believed to be in the region of £9 million, according to the Express. The striker, who scored 50 league goals in 57 Eredivisie games across two seasons for the Dutch side, reunites with his old manager Ronald Koeman on a three-year deal at St. Mary€™s. In a statement on the club€™s official website, Pelle said:
"I€™m really happy that it€™s finally signed. €œI 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 28 year-old Italian striker is Ronald Koeman€™s second signing of the summer and has been lined up to fill the void left by Rickie Lambert €“ who departed for Liverpool before the World Cup - and will represent the club's most important attacking element with Jay Rodriguez still out injured and Dani Osvaldo probably unfancied (considering he hasn't yet turned up for pre-season). Saints, who also signed Serbian play-maker Dusan Tadic from FC Twente earlier last week, are currently fighting to keep hold of Dejan Lovren and Morgan Schneiderlin €“ who are reportedly being hunted by Liverpool and Arsenal respectively, and in all honesty, they probably face a tough task in doing so. And in Pelle, the club have made a very smart signing. He is well-suited to Southampton, and here are five reasons why...