Chelsea to sign Atlético striker Costa

Chelsea FC have agreed to sign Spain striker Diego Costa from Club Atlético de Madrid after triggering a release clause in the 25-year-old's contract with a €40m bid.

The Brazilian-born forward scored 43 goals in 94 Liga games in the course of a long spell with Atlético, 27 of those strikes coming in 2013/14 as his side took the Spanish title and reached the UEFA Champions League final, losing to Real Madrid CF after extra time. Initially recruited from SC Braga in 2006/07, Costa was loaned to RC Celta de Vigo, Albacete Balompié, Real Valladolid CF and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, finally settling at Atlético in the last two seasons.

An Atlético statement confirmed: "Diego Costa communicated his wish to be transferred to Chelsea FC at the end of last season and today, the two entities have reached an agreement whereby the London club is liable to meet the full amount that figures as the buy-out clause in the contract between the player and the club."

Costa notched eight goals in nine UEFA Champions League matches last term, but was taken off just nine minutes into the Lisbon final. However, he featured twice for Spain at the FIFA World Cup, having made his debut for his adopted country in a 1-0 win against Italy in March, with four caps now to his name.

Also today, Chelsea announced that goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has signed a new one-year deal. The Australian, 41, joined the Blues from Fulham FC last summer and made 13 outings as cover for Petr Čech, including in the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Atlético.

Chelsea and Atlético will start the 2014/15 UEFA Champions League in the group stage.