Southampton complete signing of Eljero Elia on loan

Southampton have completed the signing of Eljero Elia on loan from German side Werder Bremen.

The Dutch winger will stay with the Saints for the rest of the season, which could potentially lead to a permanent move.

The 27-year-old has recently fallen down the pecking order at Werder Bremen, despite playing for his national side in last year's World Cup.

Elia is known for his controversial spats on social media, but Saints boss Ronald Koeman revealed that he is not concerned.

"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," the 51-year-old said in a statement.

"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."

Elia signed for the Bundesliga outfit in the summer of 2012, after completing a £4m move from Juventus.