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Chelsea have today announced the official signing of Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid.
A club statement confirmed that the long-proposed transfer of the Spanish striker has now been fully completed, with the 25-year-old singing a five year contract at Stamford Bridge.
The statement read: “Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce Diego Costa has today completed his transfer from Atletico Madrid by signing a five-year contract. He will join up with the first team for our pre-season European training camp next week.”
The Blues triggered the £32.5million buyout clause in the striker’s Atletico Madrid contract earlier this month, and have now belatedly wrapped up the deal to make him their third summer signing, following on from Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas, and Hadjuk Split youngster Mario Pasalic.
Costa told Chelsea’s official website: “I am very happy to sign for Chelsea. Everybody knows it is a big club in a very competitive league, and I am very excited to get started in England with a fantastic coach and team-mates. Having played against Chelsea last season I know the high quality of the squad I am joining.
“I would like to thank everybody at Atletico who made me into the player I am, it was an incredible time for me, but now I am starting a new adventure and I hope to win many trophies with Chelsea.”
Since becoming a first-choice selection at Atletico, Costa has been one of the most consistent strikers in European football, with his goals and performances over the course of 2013/14 propelling his former club to a first La Liga title in 18 years and a place in the Champions League final.
Powerful and direct, Costa built a strong reputation in Spain as a fine finisher, particularly in one-on-one situations, and is capable of scoring goals with both his left and right foot while his physical nature also makes him a real threat in the air. His favoured position is as the central striker, with his ability to run in behind opposition defenders making him difficult to pick up.