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 via 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 via at Nottingham Forest however made his title at Blackburn Rovers, scoring 47 objectives in 177 appearances alongside present Saints striker Adam Armstrong. Thirty-eight of these got here in his final two seasons at Ewood Park, a file that earned him a transfer to Villarreal final summer season.
He struggled for recreation time in La Liga however a mortgage swap to Premier League strugglers Sheffield United in January proved extra worthwhile as he scored six objectives in 14 top-flight video games.
What has Brereton Díaz needed to say?
Brereton Díaz instructed the membership’s official web site: “I’m completely buzzing. It’s been easy these previous couple of days, and I’m completely satisfied to get every part sorted and signed. I’m actually excited to satisfy everybody, it’s nice to be concerned with this nice membership.
“Watching the membership once I was youthful, it was at all times within the Premier League. Clearly final season, the way in which the group performed, they went down however they bounced straight again up as a group. Additionally the gaffer as effectively – every part 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 enjoying in quite a lot of positions throughout the ahead line.
“He’s a robust, highly effective runner and a assured finisher with a very good goalscoring file, together with final season’s spell within the Premier League during which he tailored to the extent extraordinarily rapidly.
“He’s a correct group participant and the kind of hard-working, hungry character we wish in our squad. His athleticism and physicality makes him a fantastic 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.
