Derby County and Southampton reach season-long loan agreement for Ben Brereton Diaz | OneFootball

The Chilean international is set to arrive at Pride Park for the rest of 2025-26

Derby County are set to bolster their attacking options with the loan signing of Southampton forward Ben Brereton Diaz.

According to journalist Pete O’Rourke, the Rams have agreed a season long deal for the 26-year-old Chile international, who has struggled for game time at St Mary’s since his move from Villarreal last summer.

This development follows an exclusive report from Football League World earlier this weekend, which revealed that John Eustace's side were leading the race to secure Brereton Díaz ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline.

With Eustace eager to add more flair and attacking power in wide areas to his squad, the deal represents a significant coup for the Championship side.

Transfer interest in Ben Brereton Diaz but Derby County secure breakthrough

The forward’s future has been the subject of speculation for much of the summer, with several Championship clubs and overseas teams monitoring his situation at Southampton.

However, it is now confirmed that Derby have won the race for his signature.

The Rams' pursuit comes at a time when the side are winless in their opening four Championship fixtures, and in need of a clinical edge in the final third.

The manager has publicly expressed his desire to recruit a winger before the deadline, and Brereton Diaz fits the profile perfectly.

Speaking earlier this week, Eustace emphasised the club’s strategy of building long-term while remaining opportunistic in the market, telling local media: “The club has been working really hard over the last six or seven weeks to bring in quality players at a level that can improve the squad and help develop the squad.

"If we can bring in one or two more players to help do that, that would be brilliant.”

Brereton Diaz spent the latter half of last season on loan at Sheffield United, where he contributed four goals and three assists in 17 Championship appearances.

Prior to his move to Villarreal in 2023, he enjoyed a prolific stint at Blackburn Rovers, hitting double figures in goals in his final two seasons and establishing himself as one of the division’s most dangerous forwards.

Derby County may have hit the jackpot with Ben Brereton Diaz agreement

While Derby strengthen, Southampton continue to reshape their squad under new manager Will Still.

The Saints have already welcomed Tom Fellows, Caspar Jander and Finn Azaz in recent days, while losing highly rated prospects Tyler Dibling and Mateus Fernandes to Everton and West Ham respectively.

Brereton Diaz, having failed to establish himself on the South Coast, now becomes the latest high profile departure, and it's clear that he didn't fit into Still's plans with his lack of early season game-time.

For Derby, the deal signals intent. The addition of a player with Premier League and international pedigree underlines the club’s ambition to progress under Eustace.

Should Brereton Díaz rediscover the form that made him a fan favourite at Blackburn, the Rams could finally have the cutting edge they have been missing, and look forward to some upward momentum in the Championship table.