New Saints signing Eljero Elia is dreaming of staying at the club beyond this season – and is hoping he can help fire them into Europe.

The Dutch international winger could make his debut in Sunday’s visit to Manchester United, having signed on loan from Werder Bremen until the end of the season.

Elia’s move is with a view to a permanent switch, and the 27-year-old has already been so enchanted by Saints that he is desperate to secure a long-term transfer in the summer.

“That’s my dream,” he said. “I will do everything to stay here. Everything they want to.

“This is my chance. I will do everything.”

Elia compared joining Saints to moving into a “happy new house” and the former FC Twente, Hamburger SV and Juventus player believes it is the finest set-up he has seen in his career.

“It’s the best training ground,” he said. “For everything, you have something or someone.

“Your fitness, maybe three guys. You have someone for your food, you come in the morning, in the club there is breakfast.

“I played for some big clubs. I’m impressed and if they continue this and stay in the league very high I think everything is possible at this club.”

That includes European football – and even the Champions League, with Saints looking to hold onto the top-four spot they currently occupy.

“Now it is hard,” said Elia. “Now we have to stick together and you have to have luck and the players stay fit and everything.

“I think with what they have here and the people who help us – the officials and everything – Southampton is able. Everything can happen.

“My work 100 per cent is they have to be and that they play next year in a European cup – Champions League or UEFA Cup.”

As for what attracted him to Saints, Elia answered with just one name.

“Koeman,” he said. “It was easy for me.

“My agent was speaking to Koeman, he told me that he wanted me. I was so happy.

“My situation at Werder Bremen was difficult. He said ‘Koeman wants you, are you ready?’ I said ‘Of course I’m ready’.

“Koeman called me, was talking about family and kids, he said ‘do you like to play for Southampton?’.

“I said, ‘If you want me to be there in two hours, I’m there’.”

Elia believes the style of play implemented by Koeman is a natural fit for his game.

“Playing with wingers, what I like,” he said. “It fits to my playing style. I can’t wait to play games.”

The first of those will likely come this Sunday, as Saints visit Old Trafford, with the chance of overhauling their third-placed opponents.

“It’s nice to experience playing in the Premier League against Man United and hopefully I play a very good game,” said Elia.

“Not for myself, but also that I can put myself on the map. To show everyone, ok, it’s a good transfer.”