NAPLES – "Welcome back, Eljif." With these words, Aurelio De Laurentiis announced Eljif Elmas' return on Instagram, a welcome from the Azzurri fans. The 25-year-old Macedonian midfielder returns to Naples on loan from Leipzig after six months in Germany and a move to Torino, where he gained playing time and fitness. On Saturday evening, he was already in the stands at the Maradona stadium to watch Conte's team win against Cagliari, once again experiencing the energy of a stadium that has never stopped appreciating him.
The agreement includes a €2 million loan from Napoli to Leipzig, with a €16 million buyout at the end of the season. The player will earn a salary of €3 million per season. This deal brings home a versatile player, capable of playing multiple midfield positions and already accustomed to playing for Napoli.
Arriving in 2019 from Fenerbahce, Elmas quickly became the Azzurri's all-rounder, capable of providing pace, coverage, and depth. He's already made 189 appearances and scored 19 goals in four and a half seasons with Napoli before being sold last January. Now a new chapter begins, with him once again playing for Vesuvius, with the possibility of a long-term commitment to the Azzurri.
