Wolves have won their appeal to sign Spanish striker Diego Costa, 90min understands.
The 33-year-old, who turns 34 in October, was approached last week after their summer signing Sasa Kalajdzic suffered a serious knee injury on his debut, but it soon became apparent that he did not meet the new work permit criteria laid out by the British government post-Brexit.
To earn a permit to play in England these days, players must accumulate the right amount of points in the system. A player earns points based on the quality of the league of their last club, and any recent international appearances.
Costa, who has not played for Spain since 2018, last played in Brazil’s top-flight for
Atletico Mineiro but he has not played in 2022 and overall he did not meet the criteira.
Fortunately for Wolves, appeals are permitted and 90min has been told that the appeals panel has now sanctioned Wolves’ signing of Costa.
Costa, subject to a medical which is due on Thursday, will sign an initial one-year deal with Wolves – who had been offered a host of players, including Andy Carroll, had they failed to get the Costa deal over the line.
For Costa, it will mark a return to the Premier League five years after he left Chelsea, where he racked up 52 goals in 89 league games.