Let's delve into the footballing journey of Meschak Elia, the Congolese striker, born in what was previously known as Zaire on 6 August 1997. Although Elia is not a Celtic star, his performances on the pitch provoke a sense of intrigue. Currently aged 27, he is showcasing his talent at Young Boys Bern, sporting the number 15 jersey.
Diminutive by some standards at 5ft 8in (1.73m) and weighing in at 10st 7lb (67kg), Elia certainly packs a punch in front of the goal. Over the course of his career, he has also represented the national team of his birthplace, the Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to Transfermarkt, Elia is valued at approximately £4.5m. His contract at Young Boys Bern is expected to expire on 30 June 2026, having 1 year and 6 months remaining as of now. All these details cement his worth within the club, underscoring his importance in their attacking setup. Transfermarkt
Elia's trailblazing career started in the 2015-2016 season at TP Mazembe, a club based in his home country. He racked up 12 appearances and netted three goals. The next season saw him increase both his game time and goal tally, making 37 appearances and netting six goals. Not falling prey to complacency, he continued to flourish, securing 38 appearances and eight goals in the 2017-2018 season. Despite only making 13 appearances in the following season, he still managed to bag eight goals.
Elia then moved to greener pastures in Europe, joining Young Boys Bern in Switzerland for the 2019-2020 season. He continued his upward trajectory, getting into the swing of things with 12 appearances and two goals. Over the next four seasons, Elia was a consistent figure in the Young Boys line-up. He totaled 118 appearances and netted 30 goals making him more than just a statistical splash in the Swiss Super League.
Apart from club football, Elia also made his mark in international competitions. He played in the Champions League 2023 - 2024 for Young Boys Bern, scoring two goals in six starts. His international prowess was also evident when he wore the Congo jersey during the World Cup Qualifiers Africa 2024 - 2026, scoring once in three starts and an appearance as a substitute. The pinnacle of his European exploits came in the Europa League 2023 - 2024 for Young Boys Bern, where he made a start and came off the bench once. He subsequently took part in the Champions League Qualifiers 2024 - 2025 for Young Boys Bern with one appearance as a substitute, and added a goal to his tally in the lone appearance in Coupe de Suisse 2024 - 2025. Most recently, he made four appearances as a substitute in the Champions League 2024 - 2025 for Young Boys Bern.
