Diego Costa is close to finally joining Atletico Madrid (Picture: Getty)

Atletico Madrid have officially confirmed the signing of Diego Costa from Chelsea.

The Premier League champions released a statement last week announcing a deal had been agreed, but was subject to the Spain international finalising personal terms and passing a medical.

Costa, 28, joined Chelsea from Atletico back in 2014 but has never fully settled into life in London despite enjoying plenty of success on the pitch.

The Brazilian-born striker was Chelsea’s top scorer in both Premier League title victories in 2014/15 and 2016/17, but was told by manager Antonio Conte at the end of last season that he was no longer in his plans.

Costa has won two Premier League titles with Chelsea (Picture: Getty)
Costa was a big hit at Atletico Madrid in his first spell (Picture: Getty)
Costa was a big hit at Atletico Madrid in his first spell (Picture: Getty)

Costa was initially expected to leave the west Londoners during the summer, but Atletico’s transfer embargo – which ends in January – seemed to complicate the deal.

The two clubs have now confirmed that an agreement is in place for Costa to make the move back to La Liga when the transfer window re-opens in January, with various reports suggesting there should be no further complications in terms of the player agreeing to the move and completing any medical examinations.

Costa also scored in Chelsea’s League Cup final victory in 2015 (Picture: Getty)
Costa followed that up with a Premier League win in his first season in England (Picture: Getty)

Diego Costa Chelsea stats

120 games

59 goals

3 trophies

Costa had also been linked with the likes of AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, but the player himself always made it clear a return to Madrid was his priority.

Chelsea moved to sign Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid as his replacement up front, with the 24-year-old getting off to a bright start in the Premier League with six goals and two assists in his first six games.

Costa, meanwhile, has not even been involved in Conte’s side this term after refusing to return to training with the club.

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