Jordi Alba has joined Barcelona teammate Xavi in welcoming Atletico Madrid forward Diego Costa into the Spain squad.

Costa was handed his first call-up by head coach Vicente del Bosque last week and is expected to make his debut against Italy on Wednesday.

"We've welcomed him with our arms wide open and I think it's great, because he's a player I really love, the way he battles," Alba told reporters at a press conference.

"For me and all of us, it's incredible that we've got him here with us."

Costa was born in Brazil, but committed his international future to Spain after gaining citizenship with the European and world champions towards the end of 2013.