Spain midfielder Thiago has welcomed Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa's decision to represent the European and world champions at international level.

Costa, who was born in Brazil, was named in the La Roja squad last week and is due to make his international bow against Italy this evening.

"We've welcomed Diego Costa as one of us, like any other Spanish player," the Bayern Munich playmaker told reporters.

"He had to make a difficult decision and you have to respect him for that. We're fully behind him and we are lucky to have a player with his qualities."

Thiago's father Mazinho was a Brazilian international.