Brighton & Hove Albion signs defender Costinha from Olympiacos on five-year deal

Brighton & Hove Albion have locked down Portuguese right-back Costinha on a five-year contract, prying the 26-year-old away from Olympiacos in a deal reportedly worth between £9 million and £11 million. The signing, announced on June 15, 2026, continues the south coast club’s well-documented habit of identifying European talent before the rest of the Premier League catches on.

For a club that finished eighth in the 2025-26 Premier League season and secured a Conference League berth, this is exactly the kind of move that keeps Brighton punching above its weight class.

Who is Costinha?

Full name João Pedro Loureiro da Costa, the defender was born on March 26, 2000, and made his name in Portuguese football before heading to Greece. He joined Olympiacos from Rio Ave on July 9, 2024, and quickly established himself as a regular starter in the Greek Super League.

Over two seasons at Olympiacos, Costinha racked up 49 total appearances. His 2025-26 campaign alone accounted for 36 of those, which tells you he became increasingly important to the club’s setup as time went on.

Costinha featured in matches against Arsenal, Barcelona, and Real Madrid during Olympiacos’ European campaigns.

Brighton’s recruitment model strikes again

Negotiations for the deal reportedly began as early as May 21, 2026, giving Brighton nearly a month to finalize terms before the official announcement. That kind of timeline suggests this was a well-planned acquisition rather than a last-minute scramble, which is consistent with how the club typically operates.

Brighton’s eighth-place finish last season means they’ll be competing in the Conference League in the upcoming campaign. Adding a player like Costinha, who already has experience in European competition, addresses a real squad depth concern.

What this means for the squad and the season ahead

The right-back position has been a talking point for Brighton supporters, and Costinha’s arrival directly addresses that. His 36 appearances in a single season at Olympiacos demonstrate the kind of durability and consistency that a club juggling domestic and European commitments desperately needs.

For investors and those watching Brighton’s financial trajectory, the Costinha signing is another data point in a long-running pattern. The £9-11 million range for a 26-year-old with Champions League experience is, by Premier League standards, modest.

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