In summer 1996, Costa signed with Stoke City of the English Football League Second Division.[3] He left the Potters after only a couple of weeks and games,[4] returning to his country with F.C. Alverca and remaining five seasons with the Lisbon outskirts side, three spent in the top flight.[5][6]
Costa returned to Portugal midway through the 2005–06 campaign and signed a six-month contract with U.D. Leiria,[10] playing only 16 matches in the top tier over a three-year spell; 12 of those came in 2007–08, with the team ranking 16th and last.[11] Afterwards, the 34-year-old moved to Cyprus with Atromitos Yeroskipou.[2]
One year later, Costa once again returned to his homeland, agreeing to a deal at lowly C.D. Pinhalnovense. He left in 2011 aged nearly 38 and retired shortly after, subsequently working as a manager in amateur football.[2]
Career statistics
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[12][13]