Wolves complete shock loan for Atletico Madrid and Brazil striker Matheus Cunha as Julen Lopetegui seals first transfer

WOLVES gave their fans a surprise Christmas present by completing the signing of Matheus Cunha from Atletico Madrid.

The Brazilian striker, 23, becomes Julen Lopetegui's first transfer since taking over at Molineux.

The Premier League club confirmed the deal at 5pm on Christmas Day - announcing their newest addition as "one more gift under the tree".

Cunha - who will wear the No12 - flew to the UK earlier this week to complete his medical and the paperwork.

He will link up with Lopetegui and his new team-mates on January 1 with an initial loan deal from the Wanda Metropolitano.

However, the deal will automatically be made permanent until 2027 should certain clauses be met.

It means the forward could make his Wolves debut on January 4 away at Aston Villa in a crunch West Midlands derby or against Liverpool in the FA Cup three days later.

The transfer news comes as a Christmas blow to the likes of Arsenal, Everton and Leeds who were all keen to sign Cunha.

But it is the Premier League's bottom side who won the race as they added extra firepower to their faltering attack that has scored just eight goals this season.

Cunha was born in Brazil and progressed through the youth ranks at Coritiba before earning his European break with Swiss side Sion.

After just one season, ten goals and eight assists in 32 games, he joined RB Leipzig in 2018.

There he gained Champions League experience and was even nominated for the Puskas award but 18 months later moved to Bundesliga rivals Hertha Berlin.

The attacker helped Brazil win the Tokyo 2020 Olympics gold medal last year and also sealed a switch to Atletico Madrid.

Despite seven goals in 37 appearances last term, he has played a bit-part role under Diego Simeone this season.

Cunha has featured 17 times in 2022-23, usually coming off the bench, and registered two assists but is yet to score.

On the international stage, the new Wolves signing is Brazil Under-23s' record goalscorer with 21 goals in just 23 caps.

And he has now added eight senior appearances but was heartbroken to miss out on the recent World Cup squad.