Graziano Pelle to Shandong Luneng: Latest Transfer Details, Reaction and More

Graziano Pelle has joined Chinese club Shandong Luneng, bringing an end to his two-year spell in the Premier League with Southampton.

Southampton announced the news on Monday:

Pelle leaves after scoring 30 goals in 80 appearances for the club. The Italian also impressed at UEFA Euro 2016, netting twice in the competition to help the Azzurri beat Belgium and Spain.

Football writer Liam Canning believes the money on offer in China to be the overriding factor in Pelle's decision. Bleacher Report UK's Nick Akerman would have preferred to see him remain in Europe:

A classic centre-forward, Pelle is a tall (6'4"), physical player who can outmuscle and bully defenders.

He's exceptionally strong in the air, with Squawka Football illustrating as much:

Squawka also report that he won 107 aerial duels in the Premier League last season, and he used his link-up play to great effect by bringing others into the game, creating 37 chances.

If given good deliveries to feed off and surrounded by players who support him in the final third, Pelle can be an effective front man. He'll look to form a partnership with former Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse, who joined Shandong on Saturday.

In his absence, Southampton will be relying on Shane Long, Jay Rodriguez and January signing Charlie Austin to find the net.

Rodriguez has struggled significantly with injuries over the past two years, so it's more important than ever that he return to fitness. Meanwhile, Austin will have a point to prove after an underwhelming start to life on the south coast and his own fitness issues.