Wolves star is now a Premier League regular.
Carl Ikeme has told The National he was suspicious of Helder Costa when he arrived at Wolves in 2016.
Wolves paid £13 million for Costa, a fixed fee they agreed to pay in advance pending a successful loan spell.
Ikeme was at Wolves at the time and he said he was worried whether Costa would be able to adapt to the English game.
He said he had no doubts about Costa’s talent, but wondered if he would have the attitude to match.
Ikeme said he was glad that Costa has gone on to prove his doubts incorrect.
He said: “You could tell he was good but it was that typical English attitude of worrying whether he’d be game for it when he got kicked.
“He quickly proved me wrong and nobody could touch him in training.
“He’s still doing it now in the Premier League.”
Costa played a key role in Wolves winning promotion and this season he has already played 20 Premier League games.
The 25-year-old Portugal international will admit he has some improving to do as he settles in the top flight, but the hefty transfer fee was clearly money well spent by Nuno Santo’s side.
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