Wolverhampton Wanderers have signed Matheus Cunha on loan and bought from Atletico Madrid.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have confirmed that Matheus Cunha is on loan for the rest of the season from Atletico Madrid.

Although Cunha is initially on loan at the Midlands club, Wolves are obliged to buy the striker for £43m in the summer, making it a club record transfer.

The 23-year-old becomes Julen Lopetegui’s first signing as Wolves head coach and sporting director Matt Hobbs felt it was important to make a statement as the move could affect other future signings at the club.

Speaking about Cunha’s arrival, Hobbs said: When a manager comes in and is so strong and believes so much in a player, it’s important for the club to make sure the deal is done and show the manager the club is behind him. It felt important. It was about getting the first piece of the puzzle, and from day one it was Matheus.

He’s a player we liked in the past, but someone we didn’t think was available to us in our current position. Now it’s a bit of a statement, so other players talked, who might look at our league position, now look at the manager, and when they see the first signing, it gives them faith and belief in the project that Julen and I talked about.

Since joining Atletico in 2021, Cunha has scored seven times and provided eight assists in 54 appearances.

Cunha has also been capped eight times by Brazil and Hobbs believes he has the right quality to help Lopeteguis in the second half of the season.

“We really dug into him as a player,” Hobbs added.

I spent a lot of time with him on Wednesday and he is so hungry, and the way he talks, so hungry, I think he feels he has something to prove. He’s a Brazilian international and I don’t know too many strikers who have played for Brazil who haven’t been top-level players.

At his age, which is not yet at his best, and his hunger is a great asset for the club in the future.

Hobbs also confirmed that Wolves are working behind the scenes to make additions in the January transfer window.

He said: We want to finish our work on time. We don’t want to waste January. Work easy all Christmas, move into the New Year and try to get another one or two done soon for sure.

Wolves are currently 20th in the Premier League.

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