Former FC Porto Midfielder Bruno Costa Joins Gyeongnam FC

2025-06-21     Han, June
PORTO, PORTUGAL - OCTOBER 04: Bruno Costa of FC Porto in action during the UEFA Champions League group B match between FC Porto and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Estadio do Dragao on October 4, 2022 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

Gyeongnam FC are on the verge of signing 28‑year‑old Portuguese central midfielder Bruno Costa after he mutually terminated his contract with Nacional. The midfielder is expected to put pen to paper on a one‑and‑a‑half‑year deal ahead of their K‑League 2 campaign, as reported by Record and Portuguese media

Costa, who spent his formative and peak years at FC Porto, brings Champions League pedigree, international youth experience, and technical quality to a Gyeongnam side looking to climb the table in the second half of the season.

Porto Pedigree and European Experience

A product of Porto’s renowned academy, Bruno Costa joined the club at the age of 12 and progressed through every youth level before making his senior debut in 2018. He featured prominently for FC Porto B, logging over 50 appearances, and earned first-team opportunities under Sérgio Conceição.

His most high-profile appearance came in the 2018–19 UEFA Champions League Round of 16, where he started against Liverpool at Anfield, showcasing composure and tactical intelligence on Europe’s biggest stage.

Costa also featured in Primeira Liga and Taça de Portugal matches during Porto’s title-winning campaigns in 2019–20 and 2021–22. He later spent spells at Paços de Ferreira, Valenciennes (France), and Nacional, building a well-rounded European résumé.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 06: Bruno Xavier Almeida Costa of FC Porto is challenged by Jordan Henderson of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Liverpool and FC Porto at Anfield on March 6, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

 

International Recognition and Player Profile

Bruno Costa has represented Portugal at every youth level from U15 to U21, amassing over 25 caps in total. He scored for Portugal U17, U19, and U20, and made his U21 debut in a friendly against Italy in 2018.

On the pitch, Costa is known for:

  • Exceptional vision and passing range, often operating as a deep-lying playmaker or central orchestrator.

  • Tactical discipline and intelligence, shaped by years in Porto’s highly structured system.

  • The ability to link midfield to attack, with late runs into the box and quick combination play.

  • Set-piece proficiency and positional flexibility, including brief stints at right-back.

Most recently, he made 19 appearances for Nacional in 2024–25, contributing 2 goals and 1 assist, before opting for a new challenge in Asia.

Bruno Costa

 

Gyeongnam’s Midfield Reshuffle

Costa’s arrival is part of Gyeongnam FC’s broader strategy to reshape their midfield. The club is also preparing for the departure of defensive midfielder Lee Kang-hee, who is set to join Austria Wien. However, Costa’s signing was pursued independently and prior to Lee’s exit, underlining the club’s intent to strengthen creatively regardless of outbound moves.

Gyeongnam FC currently sit mid-table in the 2025 K League 2 standings, having lost their last three matches including a 3–0 defeat to Gimpo FC on 15 June. With promotion ambitions still alive, the acquisition of a seasoned European midfielder is seen as a key turning point.

Costa is expected to provide leadership and composure in the centre of the pitch, and his Champions League experience offers a rare asset in K League 2.

Gyeongnam have landed a significant midfield addition in Bruno Costa — a former FC Porto standout with European and international pedigree. His signing reflects the club’s desire to compete at a higher level and rebuild their midfield with quality and vision.