ISL: Bengaluru FC sign Brazilian defender Alan Costa on loan from Avai FC

Bengaluru FC announced that Brazilian defender Alan Henrique Costa had signed on a two-year loan deal from Avaí Futebol Clube.

Costa, a native of Araraquara, has spent the entirety of his professional career thus far in Brazil. (Image Credit: Twitter/@bengalurufc)
By Arnab Mukherji | Jul 7, 2021 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Indian Super League (ISL) franchise Bengaluru FC have announced that Brazilian defender Alan Henrique Costa has signed on a two-year loan deal. Costa has joined the Bengaluru-based franchise from Campeonato Brasileiro Serie B side, Avaí Futebol Clube. The 30-year-old stands at 6’4. He is the second overseas signing by the club under Marco Pezzaiuoli, after the addition of Gabonese defender Yrondu Musavu-King on a new two-year deal. Musavu-King made his debut in a 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Congo. He has represented a lot of clubs in Europe’s top divisions like Granada, Udinese, Lorient and Toulouse among others.

Costa has experienced stints at Palmeiras, Internacional and Coritiba, and loan spells at Sao Bento and Vitoria, before joining Avai in 2020. He started his career in the youth ranks of Ferroviaria in Brasil, being a native of Araraquara. The 30-year-old has spent his whole professional career so far in Brazil. However, he is supremely excited at the prospect of moving to Bengaluru.

“I’m really happy to have signed for Bengaluru FC”

“I’m really happy to have signed for Bengaluru FC and I have good expectations about Indian football. I didn’t know too much about the Indian Super League, but I have friends who have played here, who have only great things to say,” said Costa, after completing the formalities on his loan deal.

The Brazilian has experienced recent success, having lifted the Campeonato Catarinense State Championship with Avai in May. The eventual winners defeated defending champions Chapecoense 3-2 over a two-legged final. Costa is eager to make his mark for the Bengaluru-based franchise.

“The new project at BFC is one that excites me, and I am eager to repay the trust of those who showed the faith to bring me here. I am aware that the club hasn’t had a great run of late, but I want to show my experience and make sure that this season is different,” he stated.

Bengaluru are off to a winning run under Pezzaiuoli who led the franchise to a 5-0 win over Tribhuvan Army FC in a Preliminary Stage Two clash of the AFC Cup, in his first game in charge. The Italian termed Costa’s presence and leadership as vital attributes in the build-up of his squad.

“I’m happy to welcome Alan”

“I’m happy to welcome Alan to Bengaluru FC. I think he is a very important player on the pitch and has a commanding personality off it. He is a natural leader and has captained teams that he has been part of in the past,” said Pezzaiuoli.

Interestingly, Costa has already scored his first goal of the season, having registered the same in a 3-1 win against Londrina Esporte Clube, in the Brasileiro Serie B season.

“Alan’s quality with the ball is very impressive and he has been scoring goals over the last few seasons which makes him a very interesting player to have. His presence will definitely improve the overall quality of the team and I wish him success on his new journey with us,” added Pezzaiuoli.

It will be interesting to note his performances for BFC in the upcoming edition of ISL.





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