Ferocious and combative striker whose aggression, physicality and goals were instrumental in Chelsea's Premier League triumphs.
Diego da Silva Costa was born on 7 October 1988 in Lagarto, in Brazil's Sergipe state, to José and Josiliede Costa. His father, an ardent football fan, named him after Diego Maradona, and the family's modest financial circumstances in a remote part of Brazil meant Costa's path to professional football was far from conventional — after a failed trial with a local club, his parents sent him to live with an uncle in São Paulo, partly to keep him away from the influence of local gangs. Costa joined Barcelona Esportivo Capela in São Paulo before being scouted by Portuguese club Braga in 2006, aged 17, though he never played for the club, instead being loaned out before Atlético Madrid signed him in 2007. After loan spells at several Spanish clubs, Costa finally broke through at Atlético in 2012, developing into one of La Liga's most feared and combative strikers, renowned as much for his physical, confrontational style as for his clinical finishing. Costa helped Atlético Madrid win a surprise La Liga title in 2014, ending the Barcelona-Real Madrid duopoly, and that same year sparked international controversy by switching his international allegiance from Brazil, for whom he had played two friendlies, to Spain, having qualified through residency. The decision drew accusations of betrayal from Brazilian fans and media, while some Spanish supporters also initially questioned his adopted nationality — controversy that followed him into the 2014 World Cup. Costa moved to Chelsea in 2014, where his combative style and reliable goalscoring helped the club win the Premier League twice, before returning to Atlético Madrid in 2017 for a further productive spell. He later played in Brazil, England again with Wolverhampton Wanderers, and finished his career with spells at Brazilian clubs Botafogo and Grêmio.
Leading Chelsea to two Premier League titles with his aggressive striking style
Born in Brazil, he controversially chose to represent Spain, and his combative style made him one of the most pantomime-villain strikers in Premier League history.
Did You Know?How They Played
Physical, aggressive striker with strong hold-up play and clinical finishing
Lasting Impact
Remembered as one of the Premier League's most physical and effective strikers
Career Honours
- Premier League 2x
- La Liga 2014
- Europa League 2018
- FA Cup 2018
| Club | Period | Fee | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braga | 2006–2006 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Penafiel | 2006–2006 | loan | 13 | 5 |
| Atlético Madrid | 2007–2009 | — | 0 | 0 |
| Braga | 2007–2007 | loan | 6 | 0 |
| Celta | 2007–2008 | loan | 30 | 6 |
| Albacete | 2008–2009 | loan | 35 | 10 |
| Valladolid | 2009–2010 | — | 34 | 8 |
| Atlético Madrid | 2010–2014 | — | 94 | 43 |
| Rayo Vallecano | 2012–2012 | loan | 16 | 10 |
| Chelsea | 2014–2017 | £32m | 89 | 52 |
| Atlético Madrid | 2017–2020 | — | 61 | 12 |
| Atlético Mineiro | 2021–2022 | — | 15 | 4 |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 2022–2023 | — | 23 | 1 |
| Botafogo | 2023–2023 | — | 12 | 3 |
| Grêmio | 2024–2024 | — | 20 | 7 |
| Spanish (born Brazilian) | — | — | 24 | 10 |