Eljero Elia joins Feyenoord from Werder Bremen, signs 2-year contract
Eljero Elia is returning to the Eredivisie after putting pen to paper on a two-year contract with Feyenoord on Thursday.
Feyenoord announced the signing after the 28-year-old passed his medical.
Feyenoord strengthen squad with Eljero Elia http://t.co/akgHDErmDv #Feyenoord
— Feyenoord Rotterdam (@Feyenoord_int) August 6, 2015
Elia, who is joining from Werder Bremen, spent the second half of last season on loan at Southampton, where he notched two goals through 16 Premier League appearances, seven of which were as a substitute.
107 - @ELJERO11ELIA completed 107 dribbles over his last two league seasons, 32 more than any other current @Feyenoord player. Threat.
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) August 6, 2015
Martin van Geel, Feyenoord's technical director, said of the signing: "Eljero has expressly chosen to take the sporting challenge at Feyenoord. In recent years he has played at big clubs in major European leagues. With that experience and his qualities he will certainly be able to help our team progress. We are delighted that Eljero has chosen Feyenoord."
The dribbling wizard was born in the Dutch town of Voorburg and made his Eredivisie debut in 2005 at ADO Den Haag. He then moved to FC Twente before embarking on a European adventure that took him to the likes of Hamburger SV, Juventus, and - most recently - Bremen.
13 - @ELJERO11ELIA recorded nine goals and four assists in his last Eredivisie season (2008/09). Return?
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) August 5, 2015
Before Feyenoord announced his signing, Elia took to Instagram to deliver a message to Southampton supporters, writing: "I want to thank all the fans of Southampton. I wish you even more success this season."
Southampton responded with a message of its own.
Thank you, @ELJERO11ELIA. All the best at @Feyenoord! #saintsfc https://t.co/HjhMkhc9OQ
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) August 6, 2015