Overview
- Brighton announced the signing of 26-year-old João Pedro Loureiro da Costa, known as Costinha, on a five-year contract in mid-June 2026 and said the move is subject to international clearance and routine regulatory approval.
- Media outlets report different transfer fees for the deal, with figures cited across coverage ranging from about £8 million to roughly £11 million.
- Costinha moved from Rio Ave to Olympiacos in 2024, made regular domestic appearances over two seasons, and featured in European competition including seven Champions League appearances this season.
- Manager Fabian Hurzeler said Brighton had tracked Costinha for some time and praised his defensive intensity and comfort on the ball, saying he will add competition at right-back.
- The signing fits Brighton’s wider recruitment pattern of buying emerging European players for modest fees to add squad depth ahead of a second European campaign and continued Premier League development.