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Diogo Jota admits he and compatriot Ruben Neves took a “risk” when they joined Wolves as a Championship club.

Eyebrows were raised when Jota and Neves, hot young prospects in their homeland, signed for Wolves from European giants Porto in July 2017.

Wolves had finished 15th, and just seven points above the relegation zone, in the 2016/17 season.

And in Nuno Espirito Santo, the club had recently acquired a manager untested - and largely unheard of - in English football.

“In Portugal many people didn’t understand our move,” Jota said.

“Not just me but Neves as well, but we are here now and the people that said things now understand.

“Of course it was a risk because it wasn’t a shortcut to reach the Premier League, but in the end it was a good move.

“My family were always supporting me and they understand my position. They were always supportive and that is what I care about.”

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The gamble clearly paid off for Jota, whose loan move was made permanent in January, and for Neves.

The Portuguese pair are loving life in the Premier League after Wolves romped to the Championship title last season.

And both have received international recognition on the back of their influential performances at club level.

Jota has established himself with his country’s Under-23s since moving to England while Neves is now a regular with the senior squad.

They are among a clutch of Portuguese stars who have joined the ‘Nuno revolution’ at Molineux.

And Jota says having so many countrymen around has helped him to settle in England.

“Being in a different city, especially with the weather, it was a big difference between here and Porto, where I used to live,” he said.

“But in the end, we have many Portuguese here and we are always together when we can be, and that helps us to be a family.

“I started to learn English when I was 10-years-old.

“I don’t know a lot of words, but I can express myself and be understanding with each other here day-to-day.”

More Wolves

Helder Costa has been paid a huge compliment by Portugal teammate Eder - who has said the national said "need" players like the Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker.

Costa opened his international account on what was a dream debut as Portugal comfortably beat Scotland 3-1 at Hampden Park on Sunday evening.

The 24-year-old opened the scoring in the first half of the friendly match which drew of a crowd of less than 20,000.

He ran onto Kevin Rodrigues' cross, getting ahead of Scotland's Andy Robertson to poke home.

And Eder, who also scored, hailed the Wolves winger after the match.

“It’s very good because he is a young talent and he has been improving a lot, and we need players like him and I am very happy for him," said Eder.

Costa has played for Portugal at every youth level from Under-16s to Under-23s but the appearance in Glasgow was his first taste of senior international action.

"It was a dream debut," Costa said. "To score a goal and win the match, which is of course the most important thing.

"I am delighted with the goal and the match."

He added: "I am very happy at Wolves, and also now with the national team.

"If we work well at our clubs we are closer to our national team."

Costa has started all eight of Wolves' matches in the Premier League so far this season.

He continues to keep record signing Adama Traore on the bench.

Ivan Cavaleiro, who was Nuno Espirito Santo's first choice right-sided attacker last season, is now back in contention after recovering from a back injury but Costa is determined to keep his compatriot out.

In a recent interview, Costa said: "Last year, there were players in front of me in my position,

“It was very difficult for me to enter the squad and it took a long time for me to get fit. I didn’t want that to happen again.

“I was a bit sad because of the injury I had, but the manager said he trusted me. The players in my position were playing well. (Ivan) Cavaleiro and (Diogo) Jota were playing well and I had to accept it, work my hardest and wait for my opportunity.

“I did that and it all worked out in the end.”

Wolves strengthened in the summer with the signings of Portugal internationals Rui Patricio and Joao Moutinho, Raul Jimenez, Jonny Otto, Traore and Belgium star Leander Dendoncker, who is yet to feature in the Premier League.

Nuno's side sit in seventh position, have taken points from Manchester City and United and have only tasted defeat once in the top flight.

“With the players that we have in the team, they have played on big stages and they’re used to it," Costa added.

"I think we shouldn’t have a problem with it this season. I am also aware that every one of my team-mates that is out could enter the line-up at any moment and will do things well.

“This rotation means we’ve always got to be at our best and I want to continue like that, playing at my highest level.

“I don’t see that as a competition but the fact that a player has come which has improved the quality in our team. We know that if things aren’t going our way, we’ve always got another thing up our sleeve.”