Earlier this afternoon Southampton confirmed the speculation linking striker Manolo Gabbiadini with a January switch back to Serie A and Sampdoria.
The 27-year-old made the move to St Mary’s Stadium from Italian side Napoli back in the January 2017 window for a reported £14.6million, but he knows Sampdoria well having spent time with them earlier in his career.
Grazie, Manolo! 🇮🇹
Good luck from all of us at #SaintsFC, @Mgabbia23! pic.twitter.com/Hr8MxY42cY
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) January 11, 2019
The Italian had a quick start to life at Southampton, scoring in four successive games upon his arrival, but then we saw the first of regular gaps in his form as he then largely struggled in front of the net for us. The second season wasn’t much better but he did hit the winner against Swansea City that ensured survival and really that’s what he’ll be remembered for, even though he now departs with only 12 goals in 60 appearances.
15 appearances in the campaign of 2018/19 only saw the return of one goal as well, so when new manager Ralph Hasenhuttl indicated he was off, although disappointing in many ways, it wasn’t that great a shock.
All the very best Manolo ???????? #AlwaysASaint ????????⚪️ pic.twitter.com/Ek6pSch8D1
— Art68????⚪️ (@ArthurCogger) January 11, 2019
Without Gabbiadini we would pretty much be a championship club now god knows where. For that regardless of the rest of his tenure deserves thanks. Grazie Manolo !????
— Ewan Campbell (@EwanCampbell1NI) January 11, 2019
All the best Manolo, enjoyed watching you play.
— Andy Clem (@andrewc52972440) January 11, 2019
Grazie Italian prince @Mgabbia23 ????
— MoveRoot (@MoveRoot) January 11, 2019
Thank you Manolo ????????❤️❤️
— ً (@iibraFCB) January 11, 2019
Good luck Gabbi and thanks for the memories @Mgabbia23
— 1885theartof (@1885theartof) January 11, 2019
Thanks for keeping us in the Prem Gabbi, all the best back in Italy???????? #MyHero
— Anthony???? (@AnthonyGarnett7) January 11, 2019
Nobody will ever forget the 2 goals in the League Cup Final, and the winner at Swansea. He'll always be remembered fondly
— Darren Dixon (@BeaumontDMD) January 11, 2019
