Football Transfer News: Diego Costa's return to the Premier League is now complete
Diego Costa is now an official member of Wolverhampton Wanderers! The contract is reported until June 2023 and was signed after all medical formalities were completed
Costa Back in PLThe drama of Work Visa
Diego Costa's transfer to Wolverhampton Wanderers was in doubt because of problems with his work permit. After failing to secure a work visa for Diego Costa, Wolves filed an appeal with the Football Association.
Diego Costa's work visa application was denied by the Home Office, which worried Wolves. There are worries that the application would be rejected since he is 33 years old or because he hasn't played recently for Spain.
Players are evaluated according to their international representation and the calibre of the league they most recently competed in at the club level under the post-Brexit points system.
Costa must have 15 points to be granted a permit automatically. He is estimated to be between 10 and 14.
On Wednesday, a hearing to decide whether the signing may go forward will be held before the 33-year-old striker departs for the United Kingdom and reports for a medical.
Bruno Lage's team wants the veteran former Chelsea striker to aid with their injury problems.
Costa has been offered a one-year contract by Wolves following their summer purchase. On Saturday against Southampton, Sasa Kalajdzic injured his anterior cruciate ligament after less than 45 minutes of play.
Raul Jimenez also left the team against Southampton late due to an injury he picked up in the warm-up.
What has been up with Diego Costa previously?
Costa, a Brazil-born player who has played 24 times for Spain and scored ten goals, made his last appearance in 2018.
Costa did play a key role in Chelsea's last two Premier League victories. In both seasons, first under Jose Mourinho and subsequently Antonio Conte, he scored 20 goals. At Stamford Bridge, the striker position has been problematic, and Costa was able to ace it.
After leaving Chelsea in the summer of 2017, Costa played for Atletico Madrid for three and a half years, scoring 19 goals in 81 matches across all competitions. When his contract with Atletico Madrid expired in December 2020, both parties agreed to a mutual separation.
The forward joined Atletico Mineiro in August 2021 and scored five goals in 19 appearances, but had his contract cancelled in January of this year. Since then, Costa has been a free agent.
He hasn't participated in a professional game since December 12, and because of his recent inactivity, he is not automatically eligible for a work permit. Costa has been away from the game for the past eight months, but he might make a dramatic return to the Premier League.
Since he was available outside of the English transfer window, which ended on Thursday, Wolves were able to make a move for him.
For their upcoming Premier League game on Saturday, Wolves will travel to Liverpool.