9 facts on Kop target Elia

Liverpool are lining up a January swoop for Eljero Elia to shore up their midfield. But what do we know about Hamburg's flying Dutchman?

1) Eljero Elia was born on February 13, 1987 in Voorburg, southern Holland. A tricky left-footer, he can operate on the wing or as an attacking midfielder.
 
2) He signed his first professional contract at ADO Den Haag, for whom he made his first-team debut aged just 17 years-old.
 
3) He went on to make 59 league appearances for them before terminally falling out with the wonderfully named coach Lex Schoenmaker. A proposed move to Ajax fell through when it became apparent they intended to loan Elia straight back to the recently relegated Den Haag, and so he signed for FC Twente instead in the summer of 2007.
 
4) He truly blossomed while playing for the Tukkers, scoring 11 goals in 64 games and picking up the Dutch Football Talent of the Year award in 2009. Essentially the Eredivisie's young player of the year award, it's previously been won by the likes of Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie, Patrick Kluivert and Dennis Bergkamp. 
 
5) he joined Hamburg in the 2009 summer transfer window for €8.5million. The five-year contract Elia signed at the time could prove a substantial stumbling block should Liverpool pursue their interest in him...
 
6) An instant hit in the Bundesliga, Elia has notched twice in his two appearances and was named Man of the Match twice in his first four games.
 
7) He made his debut for the Dutch Under-21 side in 2006, but quickly graduated to the senior side. Coach Bert van Marwijk named Elia in the squad for the August 2009 friendly against England, and he made his debut as a sub in Holland's 3-0 win over Japan in September.
 
8) Liverpool's Scottish fans might want to forget the occasion of Elia's second game for the national side: he scored the only goals in Holland's 1-0 win that killed off the home side's 2010 World Cup qualification hopes.
 
10) He became a father in August, 2009 when his girlfriend Sanne gave birth to their daughter Sael. But will she grow up as a Hamburger, or a Scouser?
 
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