Wolves complete free transfer of former Chelsea forward Diego Costa

Wolverhampton Wanderers have completed the signing of Diego Costa until the end of the 2022-23 season, subject to international clearance.

The 33-year-old joins the club on a free transfer after he terminated his contract with Atletico Mineiro in January.

Costa is no stranger to the Premier League having donned the blue of Chelsea between 2014 and 2017.

During his time at Stamford Bridge, he scored 52 goals in 89 top flight appearances and provided 18 assists.

He also won two Premier League titles at the Blues and the 2015 League Cup, while being named in the 2014-15 PFA Premier League Team of the Year.

Speaking on his move, via Wolves’ official site, he said: “It’s a first-class club with very good players who know how to play football and having the chance to play in the Premier League again was the main thing.

“Obviously, the club influenced my decision, especially knowing I will be able to adapt a lot more easily here not only from a technical point of view, the quality of the players but also from the fact that a lot of the players are Portuguese and that will make my transition that much smoother.

“It wasn’t in the best terms possible on accounts of a player’s injury which, unfortunately, I can only wish him nothing but the best for him.

“But when he [Bruno Lage] told me about returning to the Premier League since this a championship I have related to quite a bit, always liked it and followed. No matter how much I enjoyed playing in Madrid, I felt discouraged, but this motivated me. It lit that fire within me.”

The signing will certainly be a positive one amongst Wolves fans given their new summer signing Saaa Kalajdzic will be side-lined for some time after suffering a tear to his Anterior cruciate ligament, which requires surgery, while fellow striker Raul Jimenez was ruled out against Southampton with a groin issue.

Costa has been given the number 29 shirt at Molineux and Chairman Jeff Shi is ‘delighted; to have the 33-year-old playing for them.

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Diego Costa to Wolves, and back to the Premier League,” Shi said.

“A serial winner with a wealth of experience at the highest level, Diego will bring something unique to our dressing room and on the pitch, and we look forward to his impact at Molineux and Compton this season.”