Wednesday 24 December 2014 10:19, UK
Southampton have agreed a deal to sign Werder Bremen winger Ejero Elia on loan in January with a view to a permanent summer move.
The Premier League club had been keen to close out a deal as soon as possible, with Elia moving to Saints who are short in attack going into the second half of the season.
Jay Rodriquez has still not recovered from a knee injury suffered last season while Sadio Mane is due to leave for the Africa Cup of Nations next month.
A statement on the club’s official website, reads: "Southampton is delighted to announce that it has reached an agreement over the signing of Eljero Elia.
"The winger will officially join Saints on Saturday 3rd, January, initially on loan until the end of the season with a view to a permanent transfer next summer."
Elia, who has played 27 times for the Netherlands, is seen as the perfect man to bolster Ronald Koeman's front three as the club look to maintain their excellent start to the Premier League season.
Elia, who is known for his blistering pace and direct running, 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.
The 27-year-old 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 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."
Meanwhile, Southampton may again have to fend off interest in midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin during January.
Tottenham and Arsenal both pursued the Frenchman in the summer but the club stood firm and Koeman insists even a large bid will not prise the 25-year-old away in the transfer window.
He said: "Will we sell Schneiderlin if we receive a very big bid? No, we do not sell Schneiderlin in January."
