A FOOTBALL superfan is one step closer to fulfilling his dream thanks to the generosity of Blackburn Rovers supporters.

Musician Renzo, from Chile, wrote a catchy jingle in honour of his hero Ben Brereton Diaz, who has been in red hot form for both club and country this year – scoring 20 league goals this season alone.

The song is an ode to 22-year-old Brereton, who started playing for the South American national team after interest in him mounted as the news that his mother was Chilean came to light.

He has since garnered cult-like status in the country, becoming the face of both the Pepsi and national coronavirus vaccination campaign.

Now fans in East Lancashire are hoping to get Renzo and his band to Ewood Park to meet their hero, with more than £1,500 already raised by over 100 supporters.

Writing on one of the two fundraising pages, organiser and long-term fan Gary Smith said: “He became an instant hit in Chile rising to hero worship status.

“Streets were named after him in Santiago and he became the face of Pepsi.

“But the most endearing tribute was the creation of the Ben Brereton Bop by Renzo, a brilliant musician from Santiago.

“The song and dance from Renzo and his band became an instant hit with the Rovers fans, players and staff at the club.

“Renzo would love to bring his band to Ewood to see our hero in action in the famous Blue & White halves.

“Let’s turn his dream into a reality and raise enough to pay for them to come and cheer on the mighty Rovers and show them a warm Lancashire welcome.”

Renzo himself has shown his appreciation for everything that is being done for him, saying he wants to thank each and every person who has donated to the cause.

Taking to Twitter he said: “What a way to start the year! The dream of travelling to Ewood I see as reality, in just a few hours on two pages more than £1,000 was raised.

“I would like to thank you one by one who donated, and also shared the post. In March it would be a good date to travel, when there are consecutive matches, the weather improves. What do you think?”

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