Brereton Diaz completes loan switch to struggling Blades

Premier League strugglers Sheffield United have confirmed the loan signing of striker Ben Brereton Diaz from Villarreal.

Chile international Brereton Diaz, 24, earned a move to the LaLiga side from Blackburn in the summer but has struggled for game time in Spain, starting only twice in the league.

He has now sealed a temporary return to England and will be tasked with helping the rock-bottom Blades avoid the drop.

Manager Chris Wilder said: "Ben was a coveted player so we're delighted to have brought him to the club.

"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."

Brereton Diaz could make his debut this weekend in United's FA Cup third-round clash against Gillingham, subject to international clearance.

The former Nottingham Forest youngster is then set to get his first taste of Premier League action away at West Ham on January 21.

Wilder, who returned for his second spell as Blades boss in December, will hope his new striker can hand his side a much-needed boost in attack, having mustered a league-low 15 goals this term.

Brereton Diaz has a proven track record in the second tier, scoring 47 times in 177 appearances for Blackburn.