Leeds United get the Costa in, Portuguese winger signs

Portuguese winger Helder Costa has signed for Leeds United on a season long loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, which will become a permanent transfer next summer in what is a bit of coup for the West Yorkshire club. Costa came through the youth ranks at Benfica, playing 72 times for Benfica B in the Segunda Liga. On 25th January 2014 he debuted for Benfica in a Taça da Liga third round match against Gil Vicente, playing the final 13 minutes of the 1–0 win but struggled to break through to the first team regularly. His first change at first team came during loan spells at Deportivo La Coruna where he made six LaLiga from the bench and Monaco where he made 25 Ligue 1 appearances scoring 3 goals.

His big break through came in July 2016 when he signed for Wolverhampton Wanderers on loan. The 2016-2017 was a tough season for Wolves, the first season under ownership of the Chinese investment group Fosun brought early managerial changes. Costa made his debut as a substitute on 6th August in a 2–2 draw at Rotherham United and scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 EFL Cup win against Cambridge United two weeks later. He went on to make 40 appearances scoring 12 goals and 11 assists. It’s fair to say without Costa’s ‘player of the year’ contribution Wolves would have been likely relegation contenders.





On 30th January 2017 Costa made his move permanent in a four and a half year deal for a Wolves club record of £13 million. In 2017-2018 Wolves set the Championship alight winning promotion in great style by nine points. Costa was a key part of the team with 39 appearances bringing 5 goals and 6 assists. His injury towards the end of that season meant he featured less in Wolves first season back in the Premier League with 30 appearances, 12 of which came as substitute. Costa made his full international debut in a friendly against Scotland on 14th October 2018 in a 3–1 win in which he scored the opening goal, he scored his only Premier League goal in a 3–1 win against Spurs on 29th December 2018.

Hampered by his injury, the Costa of last season was a shadow of his previous self-lacking in confidence and form. Despite this he is still an incredible talent capable of going past any player, just ask Gaetano Berardi. The hope will be that the move to Leeds under the guidance of Marcelo Bielsa will reinvigorate his career. His stock may be low currently but if he can fulfil his potential he will be a fantastic addition to the squad and could once again set the Championship alight.