Graziano Pelle sends emotional message to Southampton fans after leaving

Graziano Pelle has left Southampton to join Chinese side Shandong Luneng.

Graziano Pelle has tweeted about his two amazing years at Southampton, after completing a transfer to Shandong Luneng.

Pelle left the Saints to join the Chinese side in a £12 million deal, which will reportedly make him the sixth best player in world football.

The 30-year-old striker joined Southampton in 2014, and became a key player at the south coast club.

Pelle scored 30 goals in 81 appearances for the Saints, with his ruthless finishing earning him a number of plaudits.

And the Italian striker has posted a goodbye message to Saints fans on the social media, following his exit.

Pelle is the third key player to have left Southampton in the summer transfer window.

His departure follows Victor Wanyama’s and Sadio Mane’s, and leaves new Saints boss Claude Puel with a big rebuilding job on his hands.

Southampton currently have the likes of Charlie Austin and Shane Long left to battle it out for a striking place.