Madrid : Atletico Madrid announced that they have reached a mutual agreement with Diego Costa to terminate his contract early, due to personal reasons.
The Spain International whose deal was set to expire in June 2021 asked the club to end his stay prematurely due to personal reasons, and the club agreed allowing him to join a new club on a free transfer in the January transfer window.
Costa joined Atletico in 2006 at just 17 years of age and scored 43 goals in 94 appearances for the club between 2010 and 2014. Thereafter, he joined Chelsea in 2014 in a £34.2m deal and scored 58 goals in 120 appearances for the club, winning two Premier League titles at Stamford Bridge under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte.
In the summer of 2017, he was frozen out by Conte and returned to Atletico in a £54m deal the following January. The striker helped Diego Simeone’s side win the trophy with a 3-0 win in the final against Marseille.
“Atlético de Madrid and Diego Costa have reached an agreement for the termination of the striker’s contract, which was to end on June 30, 2021,” read the statement released by Atletico on Tuesday (29 December).
“The striker asked to leave the club for personal reasons a few days ago and on Tuesday signed the termination of his contract.
“The club thanks Diego Costa for his dedication during these years and wishes him well in the next stage of his professional career.”
