Wednesday, 30th October, 2013
Diego Costa has confirmed his intention to switch nationalities from Brazil to Spain ahead of next month's friendlies.
Brazil have had to concede Costa to their Spanish counterparts after months of wrangling over whether the Atletico Madrid forward should be allowed to change.
Costa was born in Brazil but holds dual nationality with Spain after spending a huge chunk of his playing career with Spanish club sides.
Much of the furore about his allegiance-switch centred around Brazil's federation (CBF) waiving Costa's two friendlies for the Selecao from earlier this year.
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Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, in addition, had been adamant Costa would be called up for November's friendlies and, if possible, for next year's World Cup.
However, the Spanish federation (RFEF) said in a statement: "On Tuesday morning Diego Costa signed a letter where he expressed his intention to play for the Spanish national team.
"The striker communicates in the mentioned letter, addressed to Mr Julio Cesar Avelleda, General Secretary of the [CBF], his desire to be at the disposal of the Spanish national coach Vicente del Bosque.
"In this way, Diego Costa will play with Spain in the next matches in the month of November, if deemed appropriate by the national coach."
Costa's desires were in danger of being snubbed last week when the CBF wrote to FIFA to insist the forward would be called up for the friendlies against Honduras and Chile.
Costa himself was alleged to be delaying his own signature on the dotted line at RFEF headquarters, giving Scolari ample time to state his own case.
The Brazil coach lashed out at the Spanish press, accusing them of "inventing stories" before stating Costa was part of his 45-man squad for next summer's World Cup.
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