Wolverhampton Wanderers have confirmed the signing of Diego Costa on a free transfer.
Having spent the final weeks of the summer window searching for a new centre forward, Bruno Lage got his man when Sasa Kalajdzic arrived from Stuttgart.
However, the Austria international suffered an ACL injury on his debut against Southampton, forcing the West Midlands outfit to assess whether they would look to sign a free agent.
On the same day that Kalajdzic's long-term injury was revealed, reports emerged that Wolves wanted to sign Costa, a player who enjoyed a successful three-year stint with Chelsea between 2014 and 2017.
Since leaving Atletico Mineiro in January, the 33-year-old has been without a club, putting his chances of acquiring a work permit at under threat.
It's official. ✍️ pic.twitter.com/FXcgReSlsr
— Wolves (@Wolves) September 12, 2022
Nevertheless, despite not automatically reaching the required 15-point total, Wolves were successful with their appeal ahead of medical checks being undertaken.
While paperwork was completed on Thursday, the passing of Queen Elizabeth II led to confirmation of the transfer being delayed by several days.
However, Wolves have now formally announced that the former Spain international has completed a move to Molineux on a one-year contract.
Speaking to the club's official website, Costa said: "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.
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"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."
Providing that international clearance arrives before midday on Friday, Costa should be eligible to feature in the squad for the Premier League fixture against Manchester City on Saturday.
During his time with Chelsea, Costa won two Premier League titles, contributing 52 goals and 18 assists from just 89 appearances.
Although Costa failed to replicate that form during a second spell at Atletico Madrid and Atletico Mineiro, he arrives at Molineux looking to take full advantage of being presented with a surprise second chance to feature in England's top flight.
Darren Plant
