Saints forward Graziano Pelle is in exhalted company after being named as one of the top strikers of 2014 in the World.

Saints summer signing from Feyenoord Graziano Pelle has been named in the 2014 world’s best top division goal scorer for 2014 according to statistics released by the International Federation Of Football History & Statistics or IFFHS for short. The Italian international was in impressive goal scoring form in the last calendar year for both Southampton and his former club Feyenoord

IFFHS determines the world’s best top division goal scorer annually from the 60 strongest leagues of the previous year. Pelle was ranked 7th overall in the standings after scoring 23 goals in league games during 2014 which was only three less than Paris Saint Germain star Zlatan Ibrahimovic who occupies 6th spot on 26 goals. Pelle was ranked above notable players like Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge and Italy teammate Ciro Immobile but his tally wasn’t enough to land him the top position.

Not surprisingly it was Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo who took top spot alongside former Liverpool forward Luis Suarez who both netted 31 goals in the calendar year.

Ronaldo and Suarez were instrumental for their clubs last season but the former Liverpool player’s feat was the more impressive considering he wasn’t the Premier League side’s regular penalty taker. The other two players to be ranked above Pelle was Chelsea forward Diego Costa and Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

Pelle joined Saints during the summer transfer window and he has been in impressive form both as a goalscorer and in the build up play to goals. He has scored eight goals in his first seventeen league games for his new club which in 2014 earned him a call up to the Italy national team for the first time.

Photo: Action Images

SaintDownUnder added 02:22 - Jan 9 I assume Pelle's buy clause is around $150mil then :-) In fairness stats can be misleading. Pelle's contribution has been great but the UTD game earlier this season highlighted the value in having a true world class finisher. We battered UTD, yet RVP tucked away the only two shots they had all game, it's being clinical that defines that small group of elite strikers. Still I think Pelle will cause UTD problems this weekend as we have the better team and certainly better defence. Massive game....COYR.

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