After struggling to find a new club during the summer transfer window, the Angolan winger has finally left Elland Road.
Helder Costa’s nightmare at Leeds United has finally ended.
The Angolan international winger has been at Elland Road since being loaned from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2019, but he didn’t make an immediate impact.
And with his contract due to expire at the end of the season, all parties have finally come to an agreement that will see Costa depart, as confirmed by Leeds on Friday afternoon.
Despite playing 25 times for Wolves in the 2018-19 Premier League season, Costa was loaned out to Leeds – then of the Championship – in the summer of 2019, significantly strengthening their wide options.
And even though he only scored four times in 43 Championship outings in his debut year for the Whites, Leeds had to purchase him permanently as part of the initial agreement, splashing out £15 million in 2020.
Costa wasn’t always utilised from the start of Premier League matches in 2020-21 by Marcelo Bielsa though, and after his 22 top flight appearances that season, the winger was sent to La Liga to play for Valencia on a loan deal for most of the 2021-22 campaign.
However, after falling out of favor in the second half of the season, the Spanish club decided not to make the move permanent, and Costa instead joined Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad on loan for 2022-23.
Costa returned to England earlier this year after appearing 20 times for Al-Ittihad but was unable to secure a full-time contract at a loan club, and after being clearly surplus to requirements at Elland Road, an agreement has now been reached to allow the 29-year-old to find a new club.
What has Daniel Farke said on Helder Costa’s exit?
Speaking ahead of Leeds’ clash with Bristol City this weekend, head coach Daniel Farke has revealed that Costa’s departure was a long time coming and that he is relieved that he can finally move on.
“We were all waiting for a solution,” Farke said, per Phil Hay of The Athletic.
“We had open and professional discussions about it.”
“Helder is a great guy, but it was clear from both sides that we needed something new.”
“We wish him all the best.”
What happens next for Helder Costa?
Costa should have plenty of alternatives as a free agent, with countries all over the world considering him.
Costa, 29, should have a few years remaining at a very competitive level, and considering he’s been on loan at Valencia and Al-Ittihad in the previous two seasons, clubs will be interested.
He could end up back in Saudi Arabia or Spain, or even his birth country of Portugal, whilst the Qatari and UAE leagues will always be looking for players with Premier League experience.
It is a shame that it never worked out for Costa at Leeds, especially after what the club paid for him, but there is still a chance for him to make something of himself for the next few years.
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