Brazilian winger Douglas Costa has signed a two-year contract with Saudi Arabian club Al Ittifaq, the club announced on their social media channels. The deal will run until June 30, 2028, marking a new chapter in the 35-year-old’s career.
Costa arrives at Al Ittifaq after a six-month spell with Chievo Verona in Italy’s Serie D. He scored two goals and provided one assist in thirteen appearances for Chievo, but was unable to help the club achieve promotion to the professional leagues. His time with Chievo was largely a formality, arranged due to Al Ittifaq’s limitations in registering non-EU players.
Both Chievo Verona and Al Ittifaq share the same ownership under president Pietro Laterza, facilitating the temporary move to Italy. Costa’s previous contract was with Sydney FC, before his brief stint in Serie D. He will now link up with several familiar faces in Dubai, including former Inter and Milan striker Mario Balotelli.
Al Ittifaq’s squad already features Italian players Daniele Baselli, Jacopo Da Riva, Gianluca Santini, Davide Mariani, and Leonardo Ferroni. The club is also set to announce the signing of Enock Barwuah, brother of Mario Balotelli. Costa brings a wealth of experience to the team, having previously played for clubs such as Juventus, Bayern Munich, and Shakhtar Donetsk.
Costa’s move to Al Ittifaq provides him with continued playing opportunities at a high level, despite his age. The Saudi Pro League has been attracting a number of high-profile players in recent months, and Costa's arrival further strengthens Al Ittifaq’s squad as they look to compete in the league. The addition of a player with Costa's skillset could provide a creative spark and attacking threat for the team.
