Southampton swoop for Chile striker Brereton Díaz

Southampton person bolstered their guardant statement up of their return to nan Premier League by signing Chile world Ben Brereton Díaz from Villarreal.

The 25-year-old, who was calved successful Stoke and qualifies for Chile done his mother, has penned a four-year woody astatine St Mary’s for a interest reported to beryllium successful nan region of £7million.

Brereton Díaz came done astatine Nottingham Forest but made his sanction astatine Blackburn Rovers, scoring 47 goals successful 177 appearances alongside existent Saints striker Adam Armstrong. Thirty-eight of those came successful his past 2 seasons astatine Ewood Park, a grounds that earned him a move to Villarreal past summer.

He struggled for crippled clip successful La Liga but a indebtedness move to Premier League strugglers Sheffield United successful January proved much profitable arsenic he scored six goals successful 14 top-flight games.

What has Brereton Díaz had to say?

Brereton Díaz told nan club’s charismatic website: “I’m perfectly buzzing. It’s been soft these past mates of days, and I’m happy to get everything sorted and signed. I’m really excited to meet everyone, it’s awesome to beryllium progressive pinch this awesome club.

“Watching nan nine erstwhile I was younger, it was ever successful nan Premier League. Obviously past season, nan measurement nan squad played, they went down but they bounced consecutive backmost up arsenic a team. Also nan gaffer arsenic good – everything has aligned together, and I deliberation it’s an astonishing club. I can’t hold to get started.”

Buen día, @benbreo 👋

We’re delighted to denote nan signing of Ben Brereton Díaz connected a four-year statement from @VillarrealCF:

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) July 30, 2024

Martin delighted pinch his caller striker

Saints leader Russell Martin added: “I’m really delighted to invited Ben to nan group. He’s a versatile and intelligent footballer, tin of playing successful a number of positions crossed nan guardant line.

“He is simply a strong, powerful runner and a assured finisher pinch a bully goalscoring record, including past season’s spell successful nan Premier League successful which he adapted to nan level highly quickly.

“He is simply a due squad subordinate and nan benignant of hard-working, quiet characteristic we want successful our squad. His athleticism and physicality makes him a awesome fresh for nan Premier League, and we deliberation he has each nan devices to adhd to our attacking options.”

Brereton Díaz was nan 2nd signing of nan time for Southampton pursuing an earlier move for Japanese midfielder Kuryu Matsuki.

The 21-year-old joins from FC Tokyo and will walk adjacent play connected indebtedness astatine Goztepe successful Turkey.