Southampton signed Pablo Osvaldo from Roma on Sunday, reuniting the Italy striker with manager Mauricio Pochettino at the Premier League club.
The 27-year-old Osvaldo, who played for Pochettino at Espanyol, agreed to a four-year contract after Roma said Southampton paid a fee of 15.1 million euros ($20 million), which could rise by 2 million euros ($2.7 million) based on performances. The Italian international has long been linked with a move to the Premier League, with Manchester City and Tottenham reportedly interested.
The end of Osvaldo's Roma career was shrouded in controversy. At the end of last season, Osvaldo insulted Roma coach Aurelio Andreazzoli after the team was beaten in the Italian Cup final. Italy coach Cesare Prandelli ruled that Osvaldo had breached his code of conduct, and kicked the forward off his squad for the Confederations Cup.
The former Espanyol standout is Southampton's third signing since the end of last season, with defender Dejan Lovren and midfielder Victor Wanyama costing the south coast club more than $30 million. The Argentinian-born forward, though, has now penned a four-year deal at St. Mary's, with the fee set to be confirmed to the Italian stock exchange by Roma Monday.
"Southampton Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Italy striker Pablo Daniel Osvaldo," a statement on the club's official website, www.saintsfc.co.uk, said. "Osvaldo today agreed terms on a four-year contract with Saints and moves from Serie A side AS Roma. The frontman is expected to be available for next Saturday's Barclays Premier League game against Sunderland at St Mary's, and will be officially presented as a Southampton player tomorrow."
#SaintsFC are delighted to announce the signing of Italy international striker Pablo Daniel Osvaldo from @OfficialASRoma.
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) August 18, 2013
Osvaldo becomes Southampton's third signing of the summer, following an £8.5million move for Lyon defender Dejan Lovren and the signing of Kenyan midfielder Wanyama. Southampton won their opening match of the season at West Brom Saturday, with a late Rickie Lambert penalty securing a 1-0 victory.
The Associated Press was used in this report.
