Southampton confirm signing of Napoli striker Manolo Gabbiadini

Southampton have confirmed the signing of Napoli striker Manolo Gabbiadini on a four-and-a-half-year contract.

The 25-year-old, who has six caps for Italy, joined the Partenopei from Sampdoria in 2015 and has scored 15 goals in 55 league appearances.

However, he has failed to nail down a first-team place in recent weeks and has not started a Serie A match for Napoli since November.

According to The Mirror, the Saints will pay the San Paolo side an initial £14.6m for Gabbiadini, with a further £2.6m due in add-ons.

"One of my dreams was to perform in one of the biggest leagues in the world, so now that it's happening I can't wait to start playing," he is quoted by BBC Sport as saying.

"The facilities that I have seen here are an incredible level - top-level standards even for Serie A. These are the sort of facilities that make you want to come here."

Southampton have struggled for goals this season and, with Charlie Austin out injured until the spring, boss Claude Puel was keen to strengthen in the final third.