Diego Simeone compares Memphis Depay to Diego Costa

Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has said that the club's new signing Memphis Depay is "similar" to former Colchoneros forward Diego Costa.

On Friday, Atletico confirmed the arrival of Memphis from Barcelona, with the Netherlands international penning a two-and-a-half-year deal in the Spanish capital.

There had been claims that Manchester United were interested in re-signing him, but Atletico emerged as the favourites over the last week, and a deal has now been completed.

Simeone has compared the 28-year-old to Costa, who scored 83 goals and registered 36 assists in 216 appearances for the Red and Whites during three separate spells.

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"He's a player who arrives with enthusiasm and a desire to recover his best form, we're confident of seeing the Lyon version of him," Marca quotes Simeone as saying.

"That is where he showed his strength and we hope he can return to that. I see him as a striker who can play as a lone forward, or in behind.

"He's similar to Costa, who was a striker that started as second striker, but became a No.9, as he scored goals regularly and was explosive."

Memphis has only made four appearances for Barcelona this season, and his contract with the Catalan giants had been due to expire at the end of June.

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The forward has revealed his delight at making the move to Wanda Metropolitano, calling Atletico "a very big club with an impressive history".

"Everything has gone great, it's been very fast. I had a good conversation with the coach and I'm eager to show what I can do," Mundo Deportivo quotes Memphis as saying.

"I played against them last year, and I was impressed with the stadium, the intensity and the fighting spirit.

"It's a very big club with an impressive history, and a good team. I've heard lots of good stories about them. They wanted me and that's very important."

Memphis, who could make his debut against Real Valladolid on Saturday night, scored 14 goals and registered two assists in 42 appearances for Barcelona in all competitions.