Costa to leave Chelsea for Atletico Madrid — but won’t play until January

English Premier League champions Chelsea have agreed to sell Diego Costa to Atlético Madrid.

Costa will head back to his former club for a reported £53m after both clubs reached an understanding.

It brings to an end a troubled spell for the striker who went AWOL this summer after Antonio Conte told him he was surplus to requirements at the club.

“Chelsea Football Club has today agreed terms with Atletico Madrid for the transfer of Diego Costa,” the English champions said in a statement.

“The transfer will be subject to the agreement of personal terms and a medical.”

Having failed to push through the move before the transfer window deadline, Costa will not be able to play for Atletico until January due to the club’s transfer ban.

His first game could be against Getafe on January 7.

“Atletico de Madrid and Chelsea have reached an initial agreement for the transfer of Diego Costa,” the Spanish side said in a statement.

“The agreement is pending the formalization of the contract between our club and the Spanish international forward.

“The English club has authorized Diego Costa to travel to Madrid in the coming days to undergo medical tests and settle his contract with our club.”

Costa has not played for 98 days, his last game was for Spain in a World Cup qualifier against Macedonia in June.

The Spaniard scored 20 goals in 35 Premier League appearances last season to help Chelsea win the title.

Costa spent four years at Atletico before joining Chelsea in July 2014 after they met his £32m buy-out clause.

The 28-year-old scored 59 goals in 120 matches during his time with Chelsea, winning two Premier League titles and one League Cup.