Costa delighted to be 'home' at Atletico
Chelsea's Brazilian-born Spanish striker Diego Costa celebrates after scoring their fourth goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge in London on April 25, 2017. He has joined Atletico Madrid. PHOTO | GLYN KIRK | AFP
What you need to know:
- Costa can't feature until January as his move was completed outside the transfer window.
- Costa was Atletico's top scorer as they won La Liga and reached the Champions League final in 2013/14.
MADRID
Spain striker Diego Costa claimed he was coming home after completing his return to Atletico Madrid from Chelsea on Tuesday.
Both clubs finally reached an agreement for a reported initial 55 million euro deal ($64.8 million) on Thursday and the Brazilian-born striker has now completed his medical with the Spanish giants.
"I'm very happy to return home, I've always said it, Atletico is my home, I'm very, very happy," he told the club's website.
MEDICAL TESTS
Costa can't feature until January as his move was completed outside the transfer window.
However, Atletico said he will begin training immediately and is likely to be in the stands when Chelsea are the visitors for the first ever Champions League game at Atletico's new Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday.
"The international forward signed his new contract after successfully passing the medical tests that he underwent in two phases: last Saturday and Monday," Atletico said in a statement
"Starting tomorrow, he will join the team's trainings, but he will not be registered until the next winter market opens on January 1."
TOP SCORER
Costa was Atletico's top scorer as they won La Liga and reached the Champions League final in 2013/14 before moving to Chelsea where he won two Premier League titles in three seasons.
"I'm looking forward to start contributing. I'm going to give my all for the team, as I always try to do," Costa, who will wear the number 19 jersey, added.
