Ex Chelsea and Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa very closer to joining Palmeiras

Spanish striker Diego Costa is close to returning to his native Brazil to his favourite club Palmeiras.

Costa, 32, is reportedly on the verge of signing a two-year deal with the Sao Paulo-based giants, who he has supported since he was a child.

Palmeiras are willing to pay the ex-Chelsea forward around £2.6million a year after tax, according to Sky Sports.

Costa is currently in Brazil as a free agent after agreeing to terminate his contract with Atletico Madrid in December, six months early, due to personal reasons.

The striker has been plagued by injury problems this season, making just seven LaLiga appearances and scoring two goals.

He had also fallen down the pecking order at Atletico after they signed Luis Suarez in the summer, who has been in sensational form.

Several European clubs were linked with a January move for Costa, including Arsenal and Juventus. Manchester City ruled themselves out of a short-term swoop for the Spain international, despite Sergio Aguero's injury problems.

Costa began his career with Palmeiras rivals Barcelona Esportivo Capela in Sao Paulo, before moving to Europe with Atletico in 2007. After several seasons out on loan, he made his impact in the 2013/14 season, scoring 27 goals in 35 LaLiga games.

He then moved to Chelsea in 2014 and won the Premier League title in his first season under Jose Mourinho. After three more seasons in London he returned to Atletico in 2018.