Wolves snap up Diego Costa on short‑term deal as striker crisis looms

Oct, 12 2025

When Diego Costa signed for Wolverhampton Wanderers on 12 September 2022, the club instantly added a proven goal‑machine to a squad missing its star forward, Raul Jiménez. The 32‑year‑old Spanish international arrived on a free‑transfer contract that runs until the end of the 2022‑23 season, after the Premier League granted him a work permit and Atletico Madrid terminated his contract by mutual consent. It wasn’t just a tactical tweak – it was a gamble that could shift Wolves’ fortunes in a relegation battle.

How the deal materialised

The transfer saga began in early August, when Jorge Mendes, Costa’s super‑agent, opened negotiations with Wolves. Mendes enjoys close ties with the club’s board, a relationship that made the Molineux side early favourites in Sky Bet’s odds market. Jeff Shi, Wolves’ chairman, said at a press conference, “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.”

Meanwhile, Diego Simeone – the Atlético Madrid manager who had overseen Costa’s 2021 La Liga triumph – admitted the player “felt the need to find a new challenge”. The former Chelsea striker’s exit from the Spanish capital was sealed at the Wanda Metropolitano on 1 September, clearing the way for a rapid move to the Premier League.

Costa’s pedigree and Wolves’ striker shortage

Before joining Wolves, Costa’s résumé read like a trophy cabinet on steroids: two Premier League crowns with Chelsea (2014‑17), a Europa League win and a La Liga title with Atlético, plus 188 career goals by the start of 2022. His international résumé boasts three goals at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the last of which came in a 3‑3 draw with Portugal.

The timing mattered. In August, Raúl Jiménez was still recovering from a fractured skull suffered in a clash with Liverpool. Nuno Espírito Santo, Wolves’ manager, said in a post‑match interview, “We need a physical presence up front, someone who can bully defenders and hold up the ball. Diego fits that bill perfectly.”

Other Premier League clubs – Everton, Arsenal, Tottenham – had shown interest, but the Wolves’ offer of immediate first‑team minutes tipped the balance.

From debut to injury and finally the first goal

Costa made his Wolves debut on 1 October 2022, coming on at the 58‑minute mark in a 2‑0 defeat to West Ham United at the London Stadium. The substitute appearance sparked murmurs of excitement, but the striker’s impact was muted; he was still adjusting to the pace of the league after a six‑year hiatus from English football.

On 18 February 2023, Costa celebrated his 100th Premier League appearance – his 11th for Wolves – against AFC Bournemouth. Though he entered as a second‑half sub, the milestone underscored his longevity in one of Europe’s toughest competitions.

Disaster struck on 4 March 2023 when a knee injury forced Costa off on a stretcher during a 1‑0 win over Tottenham Hotspur. The injury sidelined him for six weeks, and doubts crept in about whether he could ever find the net for the club.

Hope returned on 15 April 2023. In a 2‑0 home victory over Brentford, Costa tucked away his first Wolves goal – a low‑run‑in from six yards – breaking a 45‑match goalless streak in English football. The goal also marked his first in the Premier League since his 2017 hat‑trick for Chelsea against Liverpool.

Locker‑room reactions and external praise

Veteran midfielder Pablo Sarabia praised Costa’s professionalism, saying, “His work ethic lifts everyone’s standards in training. On matchday, his presence alone forces opponents to think twice.”

Former Spain manager Julen Lopetegui, then at Wolves as a tactical advisor, hinted at a longer stay: “If both parties are happy, I can see Diego extending his contract beyond June.” The sentiment, however, was short‑lived.

On 3 June 2023 the club announced that Costa, along with several others, would leave at the end of their contracts. The decision sparked a flurry of social‑media tributes, with fans dubbing him “The Wolf‑Pack Warrior”.

After Wolves: a Brazilian homecoming and broader legacy

Just two months later, on 12 August 2023, Costa signed a one‑year deal with Botafogo in Rio de Janeiro, returning to the country of his birth. The move rekindled memories of his 2020‑21 spell at Atlético Mineiro, where he helped secure a league‑cup double.

Beyond the statistics, Costa’s brief Wolves tenure highlighted a growing trend: Premier League clubs turning to veteran forwards to plug immediate gaps. His story also underscores the influence of agents like Mendes in shaping mid‑season market dynamics.

Looking ahead, the question remains whether Wolves will chase another high‑profile veteran or invest in youth. For now, Costa’s short but eventful chapter at Molineux serves as a reminder that experience can still make a difference, even in the hyper‑fast modern game.

Key facts

• Transfer date: 12 September 2022
• Contract length: Until 30 June 2023
• Premier League appearances for Wolves: 11 (as of June 2023)
• First Wolves goal: 15 April 2023 vs Brentford
• Career goals before leaving Wolves: 188