The Werder Bremen Dutch International has been speaking of why he joined the Saints and just who he resembles in terms of playing style at St Mary's
Elia speaking to football magazine Voetbal International said
"My agent spoke to the boss and he said, ‘I want you’. He has been very important in my decision to come here. I know many players who have been trained in the Netherlands under him and I hear nothing but good stories. For me playing in England is a dream come true, I knew immediately that I wanted to come here."
Elia is also looking forward to linking up with a number of players he knows well from his time in the Eredivisie and has revealed the identity of the player he hopes to emulate at St Mary’s.
He added: "I'm similar to Sadio Mane, with a lot of freedom in midfield and the wings. I've played against him when he played for Red Bull Salzburg.
"Dusan Tadic and Graziano Pelle I know. The rest I can get to know. I want to show people what I can do and that the stories about me being trouble are not true. From now on, I want only to be positive."
Given that Mane will be jetting off to Africa for possibly a month just as Elias arrives it could be a very timely signing for Saints and it well give the Dutchman an immediate chance to post his claims for a regular first team spot and indeed a regular move in the summer.
His career has stalled a little in recent years, but he is young enough to get it back on track and even earn a recall to the Dutch International set up and add to the caps he won in the period surrounding the 2010 World Cup.
His problem has been one of consistency and although there have been periods when he has produced the goods he has not done that regularly enough of late, if Saints can get him firing on all cylinders again then it could be a great second half of the season.