Meet Da Costa

Meet Da Costa, the first non-Italian goalkeeper of Sampdoria.

Place and date of birth: São Bernardo do Campo (Brazil), 12/11/1983
Height: 186 cm
Weight: 81 kg
Position: goalkeeper

One of the club's signings this season was the acquisition of the goalkeeper Angelo Esmael da Costa Junior, or simply Da Costa. The Brazilian is a promising 26 year old goalkeeper who had two excellent seasons in Serie B with Ancona and arrives as the first foreign goalkeeper in the history of Sampdoria.

Actually, the first non-Italian goalkeeper was an Indonesian. But Kurnia Sandy barely made appearances on the bench in the 1996/1997 season, let alone in the field. That's why we can consider Da Costa as the "real" first one. Da Costa made his debut in an official friendly match last week against Cologne (a 0-2 loss).

Physically well developed, and skilled in his saves, it's up to him to prove his worth - alongside Curci and Fiorillo - and to be ready when needed.

Beginning

From São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil - just like Deco and Thiago Motta - and born in 1983, Da Costa began his career at Esporte Clube Santo André, a club from São Paulo state. His debut in the first team was in 2003. He won two major titles in that year: the Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior - the highest youth tournament in Brazil - and the Copa Paulista, in the professional level.

Libertadores

Just promoted to Campeonato Brasileiro Serie B (Brazilian 2nd division) in 2004, Santo André reach glory when they made Copa do Brasil finals. On June 30, 2004, they emerged champions against the giant Flamengo in a crowded Maracanã. This feat granted Santo André a place in 2005 Copa Libertadores for the first (and only) time ever in its history.

After leading the team until the Copa do Brasil finals, Da Costa didn't participate in the final match due to injury, but in the following season he took his satisfaction when he debuted in Libertadores - South American Champions League equivalent - in the match against the Paraguayan side Cerro Porteño.

Arrival In Italy

In January 2008 he left Brazil to play for Italian Serie C2 side Varese. During the summer of 2008, he signed for Ancona for an undisclosed fee. With a total of 42 appearances, Da Costa remained among the best goalkeepers in Serie B.

And now, starting this summer, he has the opportunity to make history at Sampdoria. Welcome and good luck, Da Costa!

Geamado.