Saints sign Dutch international on loan.
Southampton have confirmed the signing of Werder Bremen star Eljero Elia on loan for the remainder of the season, Sky Sports reports.
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Saints agreed the deal, that contains an option to buy included, with the German club last month, and went through officially at midnight on Friday – making it the first move of the January transfer window.
The 27-year-old has picked up several caps for the Dutch national side, but is often a controversial figure away from the pitch as he frequently clashes with fans on his social media platforms, though manager Ronald Koeman has insisted that he is not worried.
“I know the player, I know the family of the player, I know the agent of the player. He’s a serious boy and he wants the chance to play football. He has the chance to play football at Southampton,” he said.
“It’s a good step, a big step for him. He’s still not 100 per cent because he didn’t play the last few months.
“But for the next weekend he will be prepared and he has to take his chance. For the rest, that is separate from football and I’m not interested.”