Diogo Filipe Pinto Costa (born 27 July 2003) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays primarily as a left-back for Singapore Premier League club Lion City Sailors.
Costa has been with Famalicão since his teenage years. He progressed through the ranks and represented the club in various age levels, from under-15, under-17, under-19, and under-23 national competitions, captaining nearly every age group he has played in. Costa signed his first professional contract on 3 September 2021. He then signed a contract extension till 2026 on 21 March 2023.
Costa was loaned to Portuguese third tier club Académica in the second half of the 2023âÂÂ24 campaign. He made a total of 12 appearances for the club.
Costa mainly played in the Liga Revelação. He was also named on the bench three times for Famalicão's senior side in the first half of the 2024âÂÂ25 Primeira Liga season. He wore the number 75 for the senior side.
In the second half of the season, Singapore Premier League club Lion City Sailors announced the signing of Costa on loan from Famalicão until the end of the 2024âÂÂ25 Singapore Premier League season on 25 January 2025. Costa made his Singapore Premier League debut on 26 January 2025, in a 2âÂÂ1 win against Geylang International. Costa made his AFC Champions League Two debut in the first leg of the Round of 16 match against Muangthong United. Costa won his side a penalty after a mazy run into the box. Despite being a man down early in the second half, Diogo demonstrated his defensive prowess, playing a key role to protect their lead. The matched eventually ended in a 3âÂÂ2 victory to the Sailors.
Costa made a hat-trick of assists, all for Lennart Thy, in a 8âÂÂ0 win over Young Lions on 6 April 2025.
Costa made two assists for Bart Ramselaar and Lennart Thy in the first leg of the AFC Champions League Two semi-finals against Sydney FC. The matched ended in a 2âÂÂ0 win at Jalan Besar Stadium. Despite a 1âÂÂ0 defeat to Sydney at the Allianz Stadium, Costa helped the Sailors to create history, booking their spot in the final with a 2-1 aggregate victory in the semi-finals. Costa assisted Lestienne in the final against Sharjah. However, the Sailors were unable to hold on and eventually conceded in the 97th minute to finish the game in a 1âÂÂ2 defeat. Costa made 4 assists in 7 games in the Champions League Two campaign. Costa scored his first professional goal in the second leg of the semi-final match against DPMM in the 2024âÂÂ25 Singapore Cup.
Costa ended the season winning the Singapore Premier League, the Singapore Cup and finished as a runner-up in the AFC Champions League Two. He recorded 11 assists in 21 games across all competitions.
On 8 July 2025, it was announced that Costa would be staying at the Singaporean club after signing a permanent five-year contract. Costa scored his first league game in a 7âÂÂ0 victory against Tanjong Pagar United on 22 September.
Costa is a modern-day full-back with lightning speed, aggression, and impressive dead-ball abilities. He is able to deliver pinpoint crosses, and quality set-pieces.
Lion City Sailors