SAINTS have confirmed the £7million signing of Villarreal forward Ben Brereton Diaz on a four-year contract.

The 25 year old, born in Stoke, progressed through the academy at Nottingham Forest, where he won the 2017 Championship Apprentice of the Year award.

Brereton Diaz excelled in the Championship at Blackburn Rovers, scoring 47 times in 177 appearances across five years, including 38 goals in his last two seasons.

Signed by Villarreal last summer, Brereton Diaz played in the Europa League before returning to England to join Sheffield United on loan in January.

He made an impressive impact with six goals in 14 Premier League appearances for the Blades and will look to repeat that at Saints this season. 

He 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.

"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.”

Having represented England at under-19 and under-20 level, Brereton Diaz caught the attention of the Chilean national team - who he qualifies for through his mother. 

He made his international debut in 2021, was Chilean footballer of the year in 2022, scored seven goals in 33 caps and most recently played in this year’s Copa America.

Manager Russell Martin added: “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.”