Southampton Clinches Deals for Brereton Diaz and Matsuki

Southampton has secured the signing of Chilean forward Ben Brereton Diaz from Villarreal and Japanese midfielder Kuryu Matsuki from FC Tokyo. The newly-promoted Premier League club did not disclose financial details, but British media estimate Brereton Diaz's transfer at around £7 million. Matsuki will be on loan at Goztepe.

Southampton has announced the signings of Chilean forward Ben Brereton Diaz from Villarreal and Japanese midfielder Kuryu Matsuki from FC Tokyo on four-year contracts. The Premier League club, recently promoted, has not disclosed the financial details of the deals. However, British media reports suggest that Brereton Diaz's transfer is valued at approximately £7 million.

Brereton Diaz, born in Stoke-on-Trent and qualifying to represent Chile through his mother, has been capped 33 times for the national team. An alumnus of Nottingham Forest's academy, he joined Villarreal last year before a loan spell at Sheffield United in January. 'He (Brereton Diaz) is a strong, powerful runner and a confident finisher with a good goalscoring record,' stated Southampton manager Russell Martin.

Meanwhile, 21-year-old Matsuki, who has represented Japan at various youth levels, will spend the 2024-25 season on loan at Turkish Super Lig club Goztepe. Matsuki helped Japan clinch the 2024 AFC Under-23 Asian Cup and was named AFC Youth Player of the Year. Southampton will kickstart their Premier League campaign against Newcastle United on Aug. 17.