Eljero Elia has thanked Southampton boss Ronald Koeman for bringing him to England.

Koeman has given his compatriot an opportunity to rebuild his career on loan from Bremen, and Elia rewarded him in short order at Newcastle on Sunday evening when he scored both goals in a 2-1 victory which propelled the Saints back into third place in the Barclays Premier League table.

The winger told Southampton's official website, saintsfc.co.uk: "The manager gave me the chance to play for Southampton. He was the only one who believed in me and everybody around was looking at what was going to happen.

"I said I only want to play football. I'm never happy. I want to have success, I want to continue more and more and more. It's up to me. I want to show everyone what I can do.

"When somebody believes in me, it's like an effect. He gives you trust, he wants you to have success and you go and fight for him, and you fight for the club, you fight for your team-mates.

"From the first moment, my team-mates helped me with everything, and I am very happy to play for Southampton."