Arunava about Football A look at football & the world through my eyes!
Related Articles
Sheffield United have moved quickly in the January transfer window, completing the loan signing of Chilean international Ben Brereton Diaz.
The striker arrives from Villarreal CF until the end of the season and, providing international clearance is achieved, could make his debut in the FA Cup third round tie at Gillingham FC on Saturday.
“Ben was a coveted player so we’re delighted to have brought him to the club,” commented Chris Wilder, on his first signing of his second spell as Blades boss.
“We all know about him from his days at Blackburn (Rovers). He’s a versatile operator at the top of the pitch, who gives us options in terms of playing off the side or playing through the middle. He’s quick, powerful and obviously his recent goal record at Blackburn speaks for itself. He’s got plenty of international experience as well over the last few years, representing Chile.”
“For me, the fact that he really wanted to come here and play in the Premier League was a big factor. I didn’t have to say much about Sheffield United because he knows all about us already, he’s done his homework and liked what he’d heard and what we had to say to him.”
“Bringing players to this club, first and foremost they need to want to be here, and Ben showed a real appetite and enthusiasm for the challenge ahead, and that was key for me. He’s excited about playing for this club and I have no doubt this is a signing which will be a major help to us in the second part of this season.”
After being part of the youth set-up at Manchester United and Stoke City, a move to Nottingham Forest in 2015 saw Brereton Díaz rise through the ranks. He made his senior debut for Forest in January 2017 as a substitute against Leeds United in the Championship and impressed sufficiently to play a major role for the rest of the season, netting his first senior goal against Aston Villa in the February.
After being a regular for Forest in 2017/18, he joined Blackburn Rovers, initially on loan, for a fee reported to be in the region of £7m in January 2019. After netting seven times in 2020/21, he took his game to another level the following season scoring 22 goals in all competitions for the Lancashire club, which included a goal against the Blades at Ewood Park.
Last season, he netted 16 times in all competitions, which included a penalty against the Blades in the pulsating FA Cup quarterfinal tie at Bramall Lane. His goalscoring exploits earned him a move to LaLiga, signing a four-year deal with Villarreal CF.
He has also enjoyed success on the international stage, representing England at youth level before becoming a full international with Chile, qualifying through his mother. He has been a regular for Chile since debuting in 2021 and also played in the 2021 Copa América.
In his first interview as a Blade, Brereton Díaz commented: “As soon as I knew there was interest, I spoke to a few people, and we got it done quickly. I wasn’t really playing out there (in Spain) and was told I could go out on loan, so it is great to be over in England now at such a great club and a club I know well through playing against. I can’t wait to get started.”
“I spoke to Chris (Wilder) on the phone, and he was telling me about what the team stands for – hard work, desire and things like that. That’s something I enjoy, and it was something I wanted to be part of. Coming here is great for myself, playing in the Premier League is something you dream of as a young boy so that’s great for me and I just can’t wait to get started.”
