Diego Costa completes free transfer after Wolves exit with Bruno Lage reunion

Wolverhampton Wanderers news from BirminghamLive as Diego Costa finds a new club

Diego Costa spent the 2022/23 season at Wolves after signing in September

Diego Costa has signed for Brazilian side Botafogo on a free transfer after parting company with Wolves this summer.

Costa joined Wolves in September on a deal until the end of the 2022/23 season as the club moved to bring in a much-needed attacking option. The Brazil international only managed one goal in 23 appearances but helped the team climb away from relegation trouble to finish 13th under Julen Lopetegui.

The 34-year-old’s stay at Molineux was not extended beyond the end of the campaign, however, with the former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid striker released to become a free agent. Now he is completed a move to Botafogo after agreeing an initial four-month deal.

Diego Costa: Former Chelsea striker joins Wolves on a free transfer to return to the Premier League | Transfer Centre News | Sky Sports

“I’m very happy to have been chosen to be part of the family,” said Costa on social media. “Thanks and I see you soon.”

Costa will be reunited with former Wolves boss Bruno Lage at Rio de Janeiro-based Botafogo, who are top of the Brasileirão. They are 16 points clear of nearest challengers Flamengo after winning 15 of their 19 league fixtures so far.

Wolves make Julen Lopetegui position clear despite three-hour talks with Gary O'Neil - Mirror Online

Lage was sacked by Wolves in early October, not long after Costa had joined the club. Costa’s number 29 shirt will be taken by Fabio Silva this term after the 2023/24 squad numbers were confirmed ahead of the season opener against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Monday night.

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Manchester United star wary of Wolves after Lopetegui exit – Makes game ‘even more unpredictable’

Wolves confirm Julen Lopetegui exit less than a week before Premier League opener against Manchester United | Evening Standard

While most fans of Premier League clubs have already seen their club in action this weekend, those of Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers have had to wait a little bit longer.

With their clash scheduled for Monday evening, they will be extremely eager to see what their teams will produce in their season opener, with Wolves having to deal with the added pressure of it being Gary O’Neil’s first match in charge.

Julen Lopetegui: Survival for Wolves will be my biggest achievement | The Independent

He has taken over from Julen Lopetegui, who left his post after he felt promises made were not kept, which Bruno Fernandes has revealed in a chat with DAZN, relayed by O Jogo, makes the game a bit more exciting for fans and a bit tougher for Erik ten Hag’s men.

He said: “Wolves are always a difficult team to play against, a team that has great quality, that has very good players individually. Obviously we know now they are not in such a good period because they did a whole pre-season with another manager, and five days before the first game, they were without him.

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“But the quality of the players is there, it makes the game even more unpredictable, but we are prepared for the game. We know it’s always difficult, but here, in the Premier League, we don’t get to have easy games.”

Manchester United head into the new season with a number of new signings, such as André Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Højlund, although the latter will be out of action for a while.

As for Wolves, their transfer window has been far quieter, which was one of the reasons why Lopetegui left in the first place, especially with the likes of Ruben Neves being sold somewhat against his will.