Southampton smash transfer record to sign Pablo Osvaldo

Southampton have smashed their club transfer record to complete the signing of Italy international forward Pablo Daniel Osvaldo from Serie A side Roma. Roma's manager Rudi Garcia had given the Saints permission to speak to the striker yesterday after accepting a £15 million bid.

The player, who has been linked with a move to England several times already this summer, has put pen to paper on a four year contract at St. Mary's. Manchester City and Sunderland were amongst the teams in the race for his signature, but ambitious Southampton won the race on Sunday evening.


The transfer follows the arrivals of Dejan Lovren and Victor Wanyama, both of whom arrived earlier in the summer and then broke the club's transfer record. The signings show a massive sign of Southampton's intent.


Osvaldo has played nine times for his country, Italy. The player was born in Argentina and started his career with Huracan, before making the move to Italy back in 2006 with Atalanta. 


The 27-year-old is expected to provide competition for current first choice striker, Rickie Lambert, who scored the winning goal against West Brom on Saturday afternoon.