A former Premier League star has confessed he’s incredibly lucky after being involved in a three-vehicle smash. Eljero Elia, who featured for Southampton back in 2015, allegedly crashed into two other cars on the main carriageway of the A4 motorway near Leiden in the Netherlands whilst driving his Lamborghini Urus, valued at £270,000.
Dutch police have confirmed nobody sustained serious injuries in the collision, but two motorists were escorted to a local station. Elia, 38, was taken to the station after the horrific accident happened at approximately 9:45pm on Saturday evening. Speaking to Dutch outlet Omreop West, Elia claimed that his vehicle skidded after attempting to halt.
He said: “I was driving in a stretch that’s normally quiet around that time. Suddenly, I saw the traffic in front of me brake and come to a standstill. I tried to brake, but I skid.”
Elia added: “I told them [the police] what happened and then I went home.”
Pictures of his wrecked Lamborghini were shared across social media, with the front section of the vehicle appearing completely mangled in the shocking aftermath.
Elia is most fondly remembered for his stint with Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen, where he remained for three seasons between 2012 and 2015.
It was whilst at the German club that a botched tattoo resulted in an infection and enforced absence from action. Werder Bremen have since banned players from getting tattoos whilst representing the club.
Elia’s final six months in Germany were spent on loan at Southampton.
Despite making 17 appearances and scoring twice for the Saints, they declined the option to make his move permanent.
He also had stints with Juventus, Feyenoord, FC Twente and ADO Den Haag, while earning 30 caps for the Dutch national team.
Elia retired from professional football in 2022 following a severe ankle ligament tear.