A familiar face has returned to the Premier League, with Diego Costa finally completing a deal with Wolves to replace injured new Austrian striker Saša Kalajdžić after a hold-up with his work permit.

Original article published 12 September 2022

The former Chelsea hitman will be tasked with bolstering a blunt-looking Wolves forward line, with Bruno Lage’s side registering just three goals in their opening six Premier League matches.

We take a look at what the 33-year-old striker could offer Wolves in the Premier League this season…

What nationality is Diego Costa?

Diego Costa is a dual citizen of Brazil and Spain, and has represented both nations at international level.

He was born in Lagarto, Brazil and made two appearances for his country of birth in friendly matches in March 2013. In September of that year, Costa was selected by the Spanish national team after obtaining citizenship a few months previously.

Why did Diego Costa play for Spain?

After being granted Spanish citizenship in 2013, the Spanish FA moved swiftly to attempt to change the striker’s allegiance from Brazil.

Although Costa had at that point received two caps for Brazil, FIFA rules currently permit players with more than one nationality to represent a second country if they have only participated in friendly matches for their first international team.

In October 2013 Costa opted to declare his allegiance to Spain, and sent a letter to the Brazilian FA outlining his decision.

Wolves’ latest signing went on to make 24 appearances for Spain between 2014 and 2018, scoring 10 goals. His international career featured outings at both the 2014 ad 2018 World Cups in Brazil and Russia respectively.

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What type of player is Diego Costa?

A Premier League icon with respect to his three-year stay at Chelsea in which he secured two league titles, Costa is a striker known for his physicality and ability to bully defenders.

A prolific goalscorer at Chelsea, notching 52 Premier League goals across three seasons, Costa is renowned for his competitive spirit and fiery personality on the pitch.

Although his goal output has dried up in recent years, Costa is still an effective target man capable of providing a focal point in attack, and last year helped steer Atletico Mineiro to the domestic double in Brazil by securing the Serie A title and Copa do Brasil.

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Who has Diego Costa played for?

Costa spent the early years of his senior career out on loan whilst on the books of Braga and Atletico Madrid, both of whom he never featured for.

It was at Real Valladolid where Costa kick-started his career, with former club Atletico opting to resign the forward after just one season in 2009-10.

Back at Atletico, Costa scored 74 goals across four seasons, securing five major honours along the way including the La Liga title and the Europa League.

Costa achieved further success on English soil with Chelsea across three goal-laden and decorated seasons between 2014 and 2018.

The veteran striker then opted for a return to Spain and Atletico, where he won a second La Liga title in 2020-21, before a short but fruitful stint back in Brazil with Atletico Mineiro at the end of last year.

Why did Diego Costa leave Chelsea?

Diego Costa acrimoniously left Chelsea in January 2018, after manager Antonio Conte told him he was not part of his plans via text message at the start of the season.

Costa agreed terms to return to Atletico Madrid shortly after, before joining up with the Spanish side in January after a few months in the wilderness at Chelsea.

Does Diego Costa have a work permit?

Wolves were left sweating after prospective new signing Diego Costa's work permit was denied by the Home Office due to a lack of recent international appearances.

The Premier League side have successfully appealed this decision to the Football Association, freeing the striker to complete a one-year-deal.