Diego Costa has completed his free move to Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro, with the former Chelsea striker finally landing a new club nine months on from his abrupt Atletico Madrid exit.
Costa, 32, has been a free agent since Atletico Madrid terminated his contract six months before its expiration date last December, with the Spaniards citing ‘personal reasons’ for the move.
Following the termination of his contract, Costa was allowed to join any side as a free agent and was linked with several clubs, including Arsenal and Juventus.
Benfica tabled an offer of a two-year deal worth £5m earlier this year but an agreement was never reached.
Now, the Spanish striker has completed his switch to Belo Horizonte, with Goal reporting that he has signed a one-year deal worth £40,000-per-week to play for the Brazilian top flight leaders.
‘From the world to Belo Horizonte: Diego Costa is now from Clube Atlético Mineiro,’ the club posted to their 2.2million followers on Sunday.
Costa was born and raised in Brazil. He played two friendlies for the country in March 2013 but declared he wanted to play international football for Spain later that year, having been granted Spanish nationality.
During his three-year stint at Stamford Bridge he won two Premier League titles and scored 59 goals in 120 games.
He returned to Atletico Madrid in 2017 after falling out with former Blues boss Antonio Conte, who told him via text that he was no longer part of his plans.
Conte wrote: ‘Hi Diego, I hope you are well. Thanks for the season we spent together. Good luck for the next year but you are not in my plan.’
Costa refused to return to training, accusing the club of treating him like a ‘criminal’ and claimed he was waiting in Brazil to be set free.
Costa will be available to Atletico Mineiro as soon as he is registered with the CBF and the top-flight Brazilian side will be hoping his sabbatical has put him in firing form. The lead the top flight by five points.