Saints legend Terry Paine has hailed Ronald Koeman’s Midas touch in the transfer market following the capture of Eljero Elia.

The Dutch winger, who joined on loan from Werder Bremen this month, has started his career with the club in sensational style.

He followed up his debut in the historic win at Old Trafford by scoring both goals in the 2-1 victory at Newcastle.

His first goal ended a remarkable 1,754-minute goal drought, stretching back 29 matches to November 2013.

Even more amazingly, given his two-goal show in the north east, Elia had only netted four times since the middle of December 2010!

Honorary Saints president Paine has been hugely impressed by the 27-year-old’s contribution so far, and praised Koeman for pulling off what he believes is an extremely clever signing.

“I thought it would be an uphill battle against Newcastle with the players we were missing, but bringing in someone like Elia – it’s like everything Southampton and Ronald Koeman do is turning to gold,” he said.

Paine, a former international winger himself, added: “It’s knowing the transfer market and knowing the availability of players. Ronald Koeman has been absolutely spot on as far as that is concerned.

“That’s really good knowledge, and really knowing the marketplace, in terms of what’s available, and getting the most out of it.

“January is not really a window for being able to bring in big players, so – although it’s early days – to be able to get someone like Elia in, and at just the right time, is very impressive.”

Having emerged from a difficult time at Werder Bremen, Elia, who could make his move permanent in the summer, has made it clear he is desperate to prove his worth at St Mary’s.

Paine believes his attitude and commitment in his first two games means he is already well on course to do just that.

“What I like most about him is that, in both performances, he’s shown he knows exactly what’s required of him, which is impressive in such a short space of time,” he said.

“Ronald Koeman obviously knows where to play him to get the best out of him, which is a great sign for any coach.

“He’s relishing the chance to prove people wrong, and you can’t do much better than score a couple of goals in your second game, at a place like St James’ Park.

“It’s the way he’s slotted in that’s impressed me as much as anything.

“The way he slotted in and the way he did his job for the team when they were under pressure really impressed me.

“The other thing I like about him – and it’s the same with [Sadio] Mane – is that he likes to use his pace to get in behind, and that’s a great asset.”

Prior to Saturday, Elia’s last competitive goal had come for Bremen against Hoffenheim at the end of November 2013.

Since that day, he had gone 29 games – nine of them off the bench – without finding the back of the net again.

That was until he struck twice in the space of 48 minutes at Newcastle.

He has never been a prolific scorer, netting just six times in 98 senior appearances since the start of the 2010/11 season.

He didn’t score at all for Bremen in 24 appearances in his first season at the club, 2012/13.

Elia scored all four of his Bremen goals in an eight-game spell in the first few months of last season.

The winger arrived at St Mary’s desperately in need of game time, having not completed 90 minutes for Bremen since last August.

Since the start of 2014, he has only managed to last the 90 minutes on four occasions.