Wolves fans bid farewell to Diego Costa in the summer, after he had joined the club as a free agent – which is something he now finds himself once again.
Back in September 2022, Wolves completed a rather surreal move for the striker, with Bruno Lage needing additional cover with Fabio Silva out on loan, Sasa Kalajdzic suffering his ACL injury, and Raul Jimenez struggling with his fitness.
Costa had not played football since leaving Atletico Mineiro in January, but answered the call to arms and signed a contract with Wolves until the end of the season.
Costa would make 25 appearances for the club and initially, he didn’t make too much of an impact.
However, in the last two months of the 2022/23 season under Julen Lopetegui, Costa was one of Wolves’ best players and seemed to galvanise his teammates during the quest for Premier League safety.
He would only score one goal for the club against Brentford, but Wolves fans ended up adoring the 35-year-old for his passion and desire to battle.
Costa left the club in the summer to join Botafogo – and he has actually now left the Brazilian outfit after just four months.
Why former Wolves striker Diego Costa is a free agent again as star leaves Botafogo
The Brazilian league takes place from May to December, and Costa joined Botafogo shortly after leaving Wolves at the end of his contract.
He completed a move to the club on August 12, signing a deal until the end of the year and season.
Costa made 15 appearances for the club and scored three goals, but he mostly played from the bench, playing second fiddle to Tiquinho Soares.
It has been reported that Costa has now left Botafogo, with player and club failing to reach an agreement for an extension. His deal did expire at the end of the season, but there has still been a chance for him to agree a new contract.
According to Globo Esporte, the decision was made by the board, which had initially wanted to retain him. Apparently, the situation was ‘made difficult by the demands made by the striker’. This was ‘in addition to the athlete’s personal issues’.
Costa now looking for new club
So Costa is now unattached again, and it sounds as though it isn’t necessarily through Botafogo no longer wanting him.
It will be interesting to see where he goes next, if indeed he does want to join a new club rather than stop playing.
One does wonder if there could be any scope for Costa actually returning to Wolves, since he is actually fairly match-sharp right now unlike when he joined the club last year.
There was a feeling for many last season that Costa should have gotten a new deal at Molineux. Even some players felt that way too, Mario Lemina being one.
Obviously, Gary O’Neil is looking for a new number nine, but the market in January can sometimes be tricky, and Wolves are still being careful of the Profit and Sustainability rules.
Perhaps if Wolves cannot land anyone in the next couple of weeks, Costa should be considered. Of course, Wolves are not in a relegation scrap right now but ultimately, many fans loved the veteran for his fighting spirit and he was absolutely adored in the dressing room when he was here.