Saints swoop for Brereton Díaz
Southampton Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Ben Brereton Díaz from Villarreal CF on a four-year contract.
The 25-year-old forward, born in Stoke-on-Trent, has plenty of experience in England, having progressed through the Academy ranks at Nottingham Forest, where he won the Championship Apprentice of the Year award in 2017.
Initially joining Blackburn Rovers on loan in 2018, Brereton Díaz completed a permanent move to Ewood Park, where he excelled in the Championship, scoring 47 times in 177 appearances in a five-year spell in Lancashire, including 38 goals in his last two seasons.
Having represented England at Under-19 and Under-20 level, it was at Blackburn that Brereton Díaz caught the attention of the Chilean national team, for whom he qualifies through his mother.
Making his international debut in 2021, he has seven goals in 33 senior caps, most recently playing in this year’s Copa América, and was Chilean Footballer of the Year in 2022.
Signed by Villarreal last summer, Brereton Díaz played in the Europa League before returning to England to join Sheffield United on loan in January, making an impressive impact with six goals in 14 Premier League appearances for the Blades.
Brereton Díaz said: “I’m absolutely buzzing. It’s been smooth these past couple of days, and I’m happy to get everything sorted and signed. I’m really excited to meet everyone, it’s great to be involved with this great club.
“Watching the club when I was younger, it was always in the Premier League. Obviously last season, the way the team played, they went down but they bounced straight back up as a team. Also the gaffer as well – everything has aligned together, and I think it’s an amazing club. I can’t wait to get started.”
Russell Martin said: “I’m really delighted to welcome Ben to the group. He’s a versatile and intelligent footballer, capable of playing in a number of positions across the forward line.
“He is a strong, powerful runner and a confident finisher with a good goalscoring record, including last season’s spell in the Premier League in which he adapted to the level extremely quickly.
“He is a proper team player and the sort of hard-working, hungry character we want in our squad. His athleticism and physicality makes him a great fit for the Premier League, and we think he has all the tools to add to our attacking options.”
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