Dutch winger Elia joins Saints

Southampton have reached a deal to sign Netherlands winger Eljero Elia from Werder Bremen.

The 27-year-old will initially join Saints on loan next month in a deal until the end of the season, with the option of then making the switch from the Bundesliga outfit permanent.

A statement on the club’s website read: “Southampton FC is delighted to announce that it has reached an agreement over the signing of Eljero Elia.”

Known for his blistering pace and direct forward runs, Elia established himself as one of the brightest young talents in Europe at FC Twente and was named Dutch Football Talent of the Year in 2009. He struggled to fulfil his early promise during subsequent moves to Hamburg and Juventus but has enjoyed more stability at Bremen, where he made 33 league appearances last season.

Koeman said: “He was a Dutch international, he had not such a good period in Germany but I believe in the qualities of the player. He is a wing player and we normally play with both a right winger and a left winger.

“We also like in our style of playing fast people who can play one against one with quality.”