He’s already lifted 24 trophies throughout his club career, but Brazil international Douglas Costa has no intention of slowing down in his pursuit of silverware at Sydney FC.
The 33-year-old signed a two-year contract with the Sky Blues last week, in what was one of the most high-profile transfers in Isuzu UTE A-League history; Costa touched down in Sydney days later and on Monday, September 2 took part in his first training session as a Sydney FC player.
The Brazilian has won three German Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich and three Serie A titles with Juventus in a glistening career that has now led to Australia, where he’ll line up for Ufuk Talay’s Sky Blues for the next two Isuzu UTE A-League seasons.
ANDY HARPER: The ‘hit rate’ that reduced marquee ‘risk’ for Sydney FC in Douglas Costa pursuit
Speaking to Network 10 on day one of his Sydney FC stay, Costa put the pursuit of more trophies at the top of his priority list after signing for what he described as the biggest club in Australia.
“In my whole life, I’ve always played for the biggest club in the country, like in Italy, Germany or even Brazil,” Costa told Network 10.
“So the same is going to happen here, I chose the best one. That’s why I’m here.
“I’m really happy to be here. Of course I’m going to fight to win some titles and give 100% on the pitch. Everywhere when I go, I do my best, I try to win titles and try to put my name in history. I’m going to do it here for sure as well.
“I know that I have a lot of pressure, but I don’t care about that. I want to enjoy on the pitch, enjoy game by game. I think that’s the way I have to think and have the mindset.”
Day one of Costa’s stint at the Sky Blues included the Brazilian’s first club press conference and it was alongside Sydney coach Talay and club president Scott Barlow where Costa revealed the reasons behind his move to Australia.
“First, I saw a lot of Brazilian guys play here,” he explained.
“Bobo played here as well… Del Piero, who is a friend of mine, he played here as well. Then I spoke to them, they (said) that the A-league (has) improved a lot… I want to make a part of this as well.”
“My sister (has been) living here about eight months,” Costa added. “(That made) me come here as well.”
When Costa’s signature was first confirmed, Sydney coach Talay expressed his intention to include the star recruit in his squad for his side’s next competitive fixture against Hong Kong’s Eastern in the AFC Champions League 2 on September 19.
The target remains the same after his arrival in Sydney.
“For me, as the head coach, (my job) is to get him right and get him ready, and looking forward to getting him on the park in hopefully our first Champions League game at home,” Talay said.
“I am very excited to bring a quality player across to play alongside our very talented players,” he added.
“One thing that was very distinct today was, obviously his presence at training, which definitely lifted the intensity with the boys, and I think they stepped up another level.”
MORE: 10 of the biggest names to play in the Isuzu UTE A-League – including Sydney FC’s new superstar
