Diego Costa joins Wolverhampton Wanderers on a free transfer | OneFootball

Wolverhampton Wanderers have confirmed the arrival of Diego Costa on a free transfer via the club’s official website.

The 33-year-old joins after calling time on his spell with Atletico Mineiro after just six months, He has been a free agent since January.

Wolves’ injury crisis in their forward line prompted them to jump at the chance to bring the former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid striker to Molineux.

Summer signing Sasa Kalajdzic has been sidelined through injury, and Raul Jimenez has only featured three times for his season as he continues to struggle with his fitness.

The work permit rigmarole initially put Costa’s move in doubt, but the club have managed to navigate the process and land their man.

Speaking after signing on the dotted line, the Spanish striker insisted the move to Wolves has motivated and relighted the fire inside him.

“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,” he said.

“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 account 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.”

Wolves chairman Jeff Shi said the club was delighted to add a serial winner to their ranks and insisted they are looking forward to his impact at the club.

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