Southampton have bolstered their ahead line forward of their return to the Premier League by signing Chile worldwide Ben Brereton Díaz from Villarreal.
The 25-year-old, who was born in Stoke and qualifies for Chile by his mom, has penned a four-year deal at St Mary’s for a payment reported to be within the area of £7million.
Brereton Díaz got here by at Nottingham Forest however made his identify at Blackburn Rovers, scoring 47 targets in 177 appearances alongside present Saints striker Adam Armstrong. Thirty-eight of these got here in his final two seasons at Ewood Park, a report that earned him a transfer to Villarreal final summer time.
He struggled for sport time in La Liga however a mortgage change to Premier League strugglers Sheffield United in January proved extra worthwhile as he scored six targets in 14 top-flight video games.
What has Brereton Díaz needed to say?
Brereton Díaz informed the membership’s official web site: “I’m completely buzzing. It’s been clean these previous couple of days, and I’m completely happy to get the whole lot sorted and signed. I’m actually excited to satisfy everybody, it’s nice to be concerned with this nice membership.
“Watching the membership after I was youthful, it was all the time within the Premier League. Clearly final season, the best way the staff performed, they went down however they bounced straight again up as a staff. Additionally the gaffer as effectively – the whole lot has aligned collectively, and I feel it’s a tremendous membership. I can’t wait to get began.”
Buen día, @benbreo 👋
We’re delighted to announce the signing of Ben Brereton Díaz on a four-year contract from @VillarrealCF:
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) July 30, 2024
Martin delighted together with his new striker
Saints boss Russell Martin added: “I’m actually delighted to welcome Ben to the group. He’s a flexible and clever footballer, able to taking part in in plenty of positions throughout the ahead line.
“He’s a robust, highly effective runner and a assured finisher with a great goalscoring report, together with final season’s spell within the Premier League by which he tailored to the extent extraordinarily rapidly.
“He’s a correct staff participant and the type of hard-working, hungry character we wish in our squad. His athleticism and physicality makes him an excellent match for the Premier League, and we predict he has all of the instruments so as to add to our attacking choices.”
Brereton Díaz was the second signing of the day for Southampton following an earlier transfer for Japanese midfielder Kuryu Matsuki.
The 21-year-old joins from FC Tokyo and can spend subsequent season on mortgage at Goztepe in Turkey.
