Chelsea Transfer Rumors Update: Diego Costa Completes Move to Stamford Bridge From Atletico Madrid

By John Santisteban | Jul 16, 2014 06:58 AM EDT

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Former Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa has completed his move to Chelsea after signing a contract with the Blues, the club announced on Tuesday.

According to the statement the club released on their official website, Costa inked a five-year deal with the Blues after Chelsea agreed to a £32 million transfer deal with Atletico Madrid.

"Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce Diego Costa has today completed his transfer from Atletico Madrid by signing a five-year contract," the club said in a statement. "He will join up with the first team for our pre-season European training camp next week."

The Blues have expressed strong interest in acquiring Costa over the past several weeks after the Brazilian striker led Atletico Madrid to the Champions League final where they eventually lost to Real Madrid.

Aside from leading his club to a decent finish in the Champions League, Costa led Atletico to their first Spanish La Liga title, edging heavy favorites Barcelona and Real Madrid. Costa scored 27 goals and had three assists in 24 La Liga games last season.

The 25-year-old expressed excitement following the completion of the deal, saying that he is looking forward to playing alongside his new teammates and under a new coaching staff in Chelsea, who will look to improve next season from their third-place finish in the Barclays Premier League.

"I am very happy to sign for Chelsea," Costa said. "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 teammates. 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," Costa added.

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