Wolves produce an epic signing announcement video as Diego Costa gives a must see first interview as he returns to the Premier League.
The Spanish international, who is on the verge of playing his 500th match in football, boasts 12 major honours to his name, including two Premier League titles from a memorable time at Chelsea, and a reputation for scoring goals at the highest level.
That time in London rivalled his two trophy-littered spells at Atletico Madrid, and now, having completed medical tests at Compton Park on Thursday, brings that experience and attacking bite to Bruno Lage’s squad.
He’s back. And part of the pack.
🐺✍️
— Wolves (@Wolves) September 12, 2022
Born in Brazil, it’s in Spain where he made his name, scoring goals and achieve major honours, which came to fruition in 2010 when he settled in the Spanish capital and his career took off.
Having worked his to the top of the attacking pecking order at the Vicente Calderon, Costa shined during the 2013/14 campaign, as he fired Atletico to the La Liga title – their first in 50 years – and the final of the Champions League.
His 36 goals in all competitions saw him became tough for defenders across Spain and the continent that year to handle, and saw him named in the Team of the Season for both La Liga and the Champions League.
Those unplayable performances continued in West London, where Costa made a big impression, holding the Premier League and League Cup and continuing his run of appearances in Team of the Season selections, in his debut campaign in England.
He had three years at Chelsea, which he treasures, and continued that hunger remained when returning to Madrid the following summer and went on to lift the Europa League and hit three goals for Spain at the 2018 World Cup – the last time he played international football.
After signing off from his latest four-year Madrid stint with another La Liga title in 2021, Costa added another league and cup double to his name with Atletico Mineiro in Brazil, the country of his birth, and the nation he represented before switching allegiances to Spain.
During that homecoming, Costa’s predatory instinct remained sharp, as did the desire to occupy defenders and link up play, and that impressive goalscoring record was lifted to 188, before he departed at the start of the year, opening the door for a fresh challenge at Molineux.
Wolves chairman Jeff Shi said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Diego Costa to Wolves, and back to the Premier League.
“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.”
It’s official. ✍️ pic.twitter.com/FXcgReSlsr
— Wolves (@Wolves) September 12, 2022
Diego Costa insists his move to Wolves has relighted the fire inside him as the two-time Premier League winner returns to the competition, although he admits it’s going to be a big challenge – but one he’s looking to embrace.
Although he has been without a club since leaving Atletico Mineiro in January, the Spanish international striker, who also earned two caps for his home country Brazil, believes it’s not going to take him too long to get back up to speed with the English top flight as he aims to score the goals which Wolves are in demand for.
On signing for Wolves
“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.”
On returning to the UK
“I always thought that the Premier League was the best out there, the best in the world. I had the pleasure to play in it, return again and in my opinion, from experience, the league has the atmosphere, the way the game is played, the stadiums full of supporters, the pitch in perfect condition, the respect that players have for each other.
“I did think if I would be able to do it, if I was physically and mentally ready for this new challenge – a difficult one, that I know for sure – but mentally, I’m fine. On a physical and psychological level, I will need two to three weeks to get back in shape but that’s normal since I haven’t done much for a while but I know that I can do it.
“If I ever doubted my potential because of what I’ve done – and thank God I’ve had a fulfilling career – and I didn’t have anything left to give, I wouldn’t have accepted this challenge because I have a team to care for and if I said yes to this, it’s because I think that I can bring something to the table.”
On speaking with Lage
“We did speak. We didn’t really go into the personal side of things or speak about family. We talked about football. I explained how I felt because I am incredibly motivated and ready to play again. I know that I can help but I also explained my current situation which means that I need my own time.
“I asked him not to rush me into things in the sense of planning things that don’t always go to plan because that will mean I won’t be able to help the way I want to. He was very understanding. He is a great manager and someone who has been doing a great job.
“He spoke with some of my former colleagues, but he was very serene, which is very important for a player. We might say that ‘Diego Costa is this way’ but a manager taking the time to get to know you as a player, worry about you and trust you – because there might be some doubt since I was not playing for a long time and I understand there, I don’t judge that line of thought because your data people just see your stats. A lot of figures and a lot of bad players just play for the numbers and that shouldn’t be a thing.”
On bringing experience to a young squad
“Of course, I’m happy to help. I just don’t want to be a pain. I’ll speak with someone if I notice they may need some guidance.
“I’d rather speak with someone when they’re not doing that well because I don’t see a point of offering advice if someone is doing well. If they’re doing well, leave them be. If someone ever reaches out to you for advice, you offer it, but I don’t like to meddle.”
On announcement video
“I was scared to death. Holding that chain I kept thinking, ‘What if this wolf thinks about jumping on top of me?’ and then the three of them did.
“Because the lady training them kept calling them, asked them to move around a little and the dog, the wolves didn’t do a single thing. And I thought, ‘If they’re not doing anything with the trainer, if they come’…when they came and smelled my foot, I knew I was done for.
“I was a little scared then. Those were wolves, not dogs. It was a cool experience but not a very comfortable one. I have five dogs, but they’re not wolves!”
🚨 BREAKING 🚨
Wolves confirm Diego Costa has signed a 1-year deal with the club pic.twitter.com/3H9qe8BaPv
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 12, 2022
On what fans can expect from him
“What they can expect from me is dedication, willingness, discipline and goals which is what I will try to bring to the team to thank for all the support and all the trust.
“I am very grateful to those who trust in me because despite what happened in the past, to wish a speedy recovery to the player who got injured, I hope to repay that confidence after not playing for a while because I will be playing in a competitive league and to pass on that trust to show that I can give back.
“If it’s entirely up to me, as a supporter, you can bet that I will give it my all, give it my 100 per cent on the pitch as if it were a new beginning. Since this is a challenge, a lot of dedication and love on the pitch as I will give the best of me.”
On aims for season
“Score goals. Score goals, do the best I can, give it my all. Find my place as a person, a player and understand how I actually feel because this is a big challenge.
“It’s not an easy challenge because you’re not going to play in an easy league and you can’t play it the way you want to. This is a very demanding championship, physically demanding, and it is something to test myself with and I’m ready to give it a go.”
Fans gave their reaction as Wolves produce an epic signing announcement video and Diego Costa gives a must see first interview…
@xGJHP: this is actually unreal. sensational
@AJTrioxin: Love this announcement to be fair.
@Northbankwolves: Oh it’s beautiful 😍😍😍😍
@DannyRosamond: Cinematography is 🔥
@Cousy1976: Big whoop whoop to the social media team for that. What a job!!!
@chris_luc_: Name me a better media team
@Kele901: Definition of “he’s got that dawg in ’em” player. He’s not even the definition, he’s the final boss. The league is in trouble
@JordanWatton10: What a signing for us, please don’t get injured within the first 45 mins and break our hearts 😂
@Seagz_: Hahaha this is brilliant
@markgeveritt: If Wolves are not walking out at Molineux led by a pack of actual wolves against City (and every remaining home game) then they’ve missed a trick. I mean, what could possibly go wrong?
@GrumpyDad3: Very sinister. I like it.
@dbutleranalysis: Nah I’ve never been so excited for a 2 goals in 23 appearances stint in my life.
@WolvesNumber37: I don’t care if he’s finished and only scores 3 goals. This is going to be entertaining either way
@CrabbyWwfc: Coldest announcement video I’ve ever seen
— Jack Lewis (@_JackLewis) September 12, 2022

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