Back in the summer of 2013, Mauricio Pochettino reunited with his former Espanyol striker Dani Osvaldo at Southampton as the Argentinian looked to bolster his options up front.
An Italy international with experience both in La Liga and Serie A, unsurprisingly, Osvaldo’s arrival at St. Mary’s was one that was met with much excitement.
@SouthamptonFC wow just wow …. No longer “little ole Southampton” #saintsfc #Osvaldo
— Kezza (@kezzzalou) August 18, 2013
https://twitter.com/Skelly2525/status/369383063400091648
@SouthamptonFC @OfficialASRoma get in there. Needed another striker. Gonna be a good season !!!
— Paul McGuire (@Coomcguire) August 18, 2013
“@SouthamptonFC: #SaintsFC are delighted to announce the signing of Italy international striker Pablo Daniel Osvaldo" massive signing! #COYR
— Tom B (@TomBennett10) August 18, 2013
https://twitter.com/HackStuart/status/369171293217628161
@SouthamptonFC absolutely epic!! What a transfer window! Big things are happening at #SaintsFC
— FlipJoberg (@sj_grey__) August 18, 2013
https://twitter.com/indian_nomad/status/369168050664112131
And at times, it was not hard to see why. The 32-year-old showed flashes of brilliance with his fantastic equaliser in a 1-1 draw versus Manchester City the obvious example that comes to mind.
That, however, was to be the highlight of Osvaldo’s Southampton career with the ex-Espanyol striker soon finding himself back in Italy with Juventus having failed to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League.
After a couple more loan deals elsewhere following his initial one with Juventus, Osvaldo eventually had his Southampton contract terminated, which would have delighted Saints supporters who would have been glad to finally see the back of the former Italy international.
In the end, Osvaldo offered very little despite arriving for a relatively large fee at the time for a club like Southampton, and will undoubtedly go down us one of the worst signings the Saints have made in recent years.
