Sydney FC has signed one of the biggest and most high-profile sports stars Australia has ever seen, in an enormous coup for the Sky Blues and the Isuzu-UTE A-League.
The FIFA Club World Cup winner will become the most influential athlete to play in any football code ‘Down Under’, with over 13 million followers across his social media platforms worldwide.
Having won five trophies with Italian colossus Juventus, six titles with German juggernauts Bayern Munich and lifted eleven cups with Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk, the lightning quick left winger is set to illuminate the A-League for the next two seasons, like no one before him.
Sydney FC Chairman Scott Barlow said: “We are thrilled to bring Brazilian World Cup star Douglas Costa to Sydney FC and the Isuzu-UTE A-League.
“He is one of the most high-profile footballers to ever play on these shores and the eyes of the football world will be on Sydney FC and the A-League this season.
“Douglas is a proven winner, and his record of titles in the world’s top leagues is testament to that.
“This is yet another landmark signing in our club’s history and we welcome Douglas to Australia.”
The three-time Juventus and Bayern Munich Championship winner will become the club’s new marquee signing and arrive in Sydney later this week.
“I have been part of some incredible teams throughout my career, winning many titles and I have come to Sydney FC to win more,” he said.
“Football is in my blood and I arrive in Australia to raise the game in this country, entertain the passionate sporting public and bring silverware to Sydney FC.
“I’m excited to get to know the people, the country and seeing all the fans of every club.”
With over 13 million followers worldwide, the 33-year-old has a larger social media presence than Sam Kerr, Pat Cummins, Nick Kyrgios, Ben Simmons, Reece Walsh, Dustin Martin and Alexander Volkanovski, with only Australian sports stars such as cricketer David Warner and Formula One driver Daniel Riccardo having a comparable online status.
Costa’s worldwide transfer fees over his 16-year career total close to $AU140 million.
Sydney FC Head Coach Ufuk Talay can’t wait to see his skills on show in Sky Blue.
“It’s exciting to be able to attract a player of the calibre of Douglas Costa to Sydney FC,” he said.
“He is a world class talent with 24 career trophies”
“His experience and knowledge will be a positive influence on the playing group”
He was a member of Brazil’s forward line at the FIFA World Cup 2018TM and Copa America 2015 alongside Neymar, Philippe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Gabriel Jesus.
Official arrival times and media opportunities for the forward will be released in due course.
Costa’s first official game in Sky Blue will come in the AFC Champions League 2 on Thursday 19th September at Jubilee Oval in Kogarah against Hong Kong team Eastern FC.
Grab your Sydney FC Membership today to be the first to see Douglas Costa in action in Sky Blue when he hits Allianz Stadium.
Profile Honours
Name: Douglas Costa
Age: 33
Nationality: Brazilian
Brazil caps: 31 (3 goals)
Social Media Handles – 13.4m
Facebook – @Douglas Costa – 3.8m
X – @douglascosta – 507k
Instagram – @douglascosta – 6.1m
TikTok – @douglascosta – 2.4m
Threads – @douglascosta – 595k
Club Career
Grêmio – 2008–2009 – 37 apps (2 goals)
Shakhtar Donetsk – 2009-15 – 202 apps (38 goals)
Bayern Munich – 2015–17 – 77 apps (14 goals)
Juventus – 2017-2021 – 103 apps (10 goals)
Bayern Munich – 2020–21 – 20 apps (1 goal)
Grêmio – 2021-22 – 28 apps (3 goals)
LA Galaxy – 2022–24 – 51 apps (8 goals)
Fluminese – 2024 – 22 (0 goals)
Career total – 517 apps (76 goals)
Club Honours – 24 trophies
Shakhtar Donetsk
Ukrainian Premier League: 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14
Ukrainian Super Cup: 2010, 2012, 2013.
Bayern Munich
Bundesliga: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2020–21
DFB-Pokal: 2015–16
FIFA Club World Cup: 2020
Juventus
Serie A: 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20
Coppa Italia: 2017–18
Supercoppa Italiana: 2018
Fluminense
Recopa Sudamericana: 2024
Brazil U20
South American U-20 Championship: 2009
FIFA U-20 World Cup runner-up: 2009
Individual
FIFA FIFPro World XI 5th team: 2015
Transfer Fees – Total AU$ 139.2 million
Gremio to Shakhtar Donetsk – AU$13.2 million.
Shakhtar Donetsk to Bayern Munich – AU$50 million.
Bayern Munich to Juventus – AU$76 million.
