Ben Brereton Díaz has cashed in on his transfer-free status with a transfer to Villarreal. Born in Stoke-on-Trent, the Chilean international has become one of the Championship’s most coveted players in recent seasons.
Villarreal win battle for English-Chilean Championship revelation
The 2021/22 season in particular was a season to remember for the now 24-year-old attacker. Brereton Díaz scored no less than 22 times for Blackburn Rovers in the second tier in England. Only Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dominic Solanke were more accurate in the Championship at the time. When they were promoted with Fulham and AFC Bournemouth respectively, the son of an English father and Chilean mother missed a step up. In the following summer, Blackburn rejected an offer from OGC Nice, among others, while clubs such as West Ham United and Leeds United were also interested.
Blackburn narrowly missed out on participation in the play-offs
A transfer was then not an option for Brereton Díaz, who scored another fourteen times in the Championship in the past season. Again, however, Blackburn narrowly missed out on participation in the play-offs. The Riversiders playmaker decided he was ready for a new challenge.
Villarreal represents that new challenge. Brereton Díaz has signed a four-year contract with the club who finished fifth in La Liga last season. The transfer is a highlight in a career with many ups and downs. As a talent he was sent away from first Manchester United and then Stoke City. The attacker fought back via Nottingham Forest. He became an England youth international and was part of the Under-19 team that won the European Championship in 2017.
A few other players from that squad: current Arsenal goalie Aaron Ramsdale and Mason Mount, who is on his way to Manchester United. Where Mount won the Champions League with Chelsea and Ramsdale played an important role in second place for Arsenal last season, a milestone is now coming for Brereton Díaz. He will enter Europe for the first time in his career with Villarreal.
Reinforcements are welcome for Villarreal. The club already sold two key players this summer. Striker Nicolas Jackson has left for Chelsea for 37 million euros and center defender Pau Torres is going to Aston Villa.
