Wolves stars including Daniel Podence send heartfelt messages to departing Wolves star Diego Costa

Wolves announced on Friday that Diego Costa would be leaving the club this summer.

The striker arrived at Molineux in September after answering Wanderers’ call to arms following Sasa Kalajdzic’s season-ending injury.
Wolves found themselves in a tight situation once the transfer window closed.

Fabio Silva had been loaned out, leaving Raul Jimenez as the sole other striker. However, the Mexican’s fitness was a concern.

As a result, Wolves moved to sign Costa on a season-long loan.

At first, Costa looked a busted flush.

He was clearly not fit at all, which was probably to be expected given he had not played football since leaving Atletico Mineiro in January 2022.

But Costa came good for Wolves.

He only scored one goal in the end. But Costa showed some much needed fight in the last two months of the season.

And that fighting spirit was infectious.

Ultimately, he played a big part in helping Wolves to survive.

There had been some talk about him potentially getting a new deal. It was reported that Julen Lopetegui was a really big fan of his and appreciates what he brings to to the table.

But Costa’s’s message to Matheus Cunha on Instagram recently, saying that he would ‘miss’ him, led to speculation that Costa would be leaving.

Sure enough, the decision has since been made, and Costa will become a free agent once again.

Fans have come to love the 34-year-old. And it’s clear he was hugely respected in the dressing room given what some Wolves players have posted to/about him on social media.

Diego Costa’s popularity and impact at Wolves is very clear as stars bid farewell to him

We have heard for a while how Costa has been a really big influence at Wolves in the dressing room.

Apparently, he is quite the joker, and just a really big personality, the kind of which was really missing at the start of the season.

Since the announcement was made that he was leaving, a number of Wolves players have posted tributes to him on social media.

The striker has shared messages to his Instagram Story from the likes of Ruben Neves, Chiquinho, Sasa Kalajdzic, Matheus Nunes, Nelson Semedo and Matheus Cunha.

But perhaps the most heartfelt message of all came from Daniel Podence.

Podence appears to have struck up a really close bond with Costa, and he’s written a pretty lengthy paragraph for the outgoing star.

He said (translated from Portuguese): “From day one, our saint knocked! for all that you are, pass on and teach, you have been a pillar for the team and especially for me. I don’t need to talk about the player you are.

“I grew up watching you shine and God gave me the opportunity to see the definition of joy, humility hard work and good energy up close. I hope the future is as good to you as you have been to me. See you there.”

One would imagine the pair will definitely be keeping in touch.