Ricardo Costa (Portuguese footballer)

Ricardo Miguel Moreira da Costa (; born 16 May 1981 in Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto) is a Portuguese footballer who plays for Valencia CF in Spain.

Mainly a central defender, he can occasionally play as a full back.

Club career

Costa, a product of Boavista FC's youth system, moved to neighbours F.C. Porto when he was still an apprentice. He made his first division debut in a 2002 derby match, precisely against Boavista, but never became more than a fringe player, being preferred in the stopper's pecking order in consecutive seasons to namesake Jorge, Pedro Emanuel, Pepe and Bruno Alves.

In July 2007, as first team opportunities appeared few at Porto, Costa joined Bundesliga's VfL Wolfsburg, on a three-year contract. After a shaky start, he finished the season as an undisputed starter, as the side reached a UEFA Cup final standing.

In the summer of 2009, Costa was about to be transferred to Real Zaragoza, but the transfer could not be completed, because the two parties could not come to an agreement.

On 28 January 2010, although he was being used regularly at Wolfsburg, Costa transferred to OSC Lille in France. On 17 May, after having contributed relatively to Lille's fourth place, he moved teams and countries again, joining Valencia CF of Spain on a four-year...
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