Sheffield United have signed forward, Ben Brereton Diaz on loan from Villarreal until end of 2023-24 season.
Brereton Diaz previously scored 47 goals in 176 appearances for Blackburn in a five-year spell from August 2018 – June 2023, before he left for Villarreal on a free transfer last summer.
The Chile international’s move however hasn’t proven successful with no goals in 20 appearances for the Spanish club – including one start in his last nine matches, which prompted Sheffield Utd to make a loan move for the 24 year-old.
In his first interview for the Blades, Brereton Diaz is happy to be back in English football and this time in the Premier League.
“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.”
Wilder added that the club are “delighted” to add Brereton Diaz to their strikeforce for the second half of the season, as the Blades seek to avoid instant relegation back to the Championship.
Addressing Brereton Diaz’s experience and potential, Wilder added: “We all know about him from his days at Blackburn. 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.”
Looking ahead to the remainder of the January transfer window, Wilder iterated that new signings “need to want to be here,” like Brereton Diaz and show “a real appetite and enthusiasm for the challenge ahead,” as the club targets a FA Cup run alongside their battle for top-flight survival.
Brereton Diaz could make his debut for the Blades away against Gillingham in the FA Cup tomorrow (6 January) if interntional clearance arrives in time.
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