Southampton have signed Chile international striker Ben Brereton Diaz for a deal understood to be worth in the region of £7million ($9m).
Brereton Diaz has signed a four-year deal with the 2023/24 Championship playoff winners ahead of their top-flight return.
The 25-year-old came through the academy ranks at Nottingham Forest before enjoying his professional breakthrough at Blackburn Rovers, where he scored 38 times in his final two seasons with the Championship club.
This form plotted an unlikely route to the international stage for the Stoke-on-Trent-born forward, who qualifies for Chile through his mother.
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Brereton Diaz scored the first of seven international goals on his second appearance for Chile, netting decisively to secure a 1-0 victory over Bolivia at the 2021 Copa America.
Such exploits caught the attention of Villarreal, although a free-transfer switch to LaLiga last summer did not work out as Brereton Diaz went without a goal in 20 appearances for his new club. Only six of those outings were starts.
He joined Sheffield United on loan for the second half of last season and relocated some form for the relegation-doomed Blades, scoring six times in 14 games.
“I got the opportunity to play last season at Sheffield United and it was great for me – my first time in the Premier League and I loved every minute of it, playing on the biggest stage,” Brereton Diaz said.
“As soon as that six months finished, I knew for sure I wanted to come back to England. It gave me a real desire for it, and I’m happy this great club has chosen to sign me, so I’m really excited.”
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Southampton boss Russell Martin added: "Ben'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."
Brereton Diaz was the second arrival at St Mary’s on a busy Tuesday, with Kuryu Matsuki joining on a four-year deal from FC Tokyo. The Japan U23 midfielder will spend the forthcoming season on loan at Turkish Super Lig club Goztepe.
