Forward Douglas Costa, known for his significant stints with the Brazil national team and major European clubs, has officially joined Al-Ittifaq, where he will form an attacking duo with Mario Balotelli.
Douglas Costa‘s career takes a new turn in international football. The 35-year-old forward, who recently played for Chievo Verona in the Italian fourth division, was officially announced this Saturday (4) as the new signing for Al-Ittifaq, a team competing in the second division in the Middle East.
The negotiation, which had been in the works since the beginning of the year, was facilitated by agent Pietro Laterza, who has ownership ties to both clubs. This move signals the player’s search for a new challenge and his goal to help the Arab club achieve promotion to the national top flight.
An Impactful Duo
Al-Ittifaq‘s main draw for the season is the formation of a high-level attacking partnership. Douglas Costa will share offensive responsibilities with the controversial and talented Italian striker Mario Balotelli. Together, they bear the responsibility of leading the squad in their quest for promotion.
Regarding this career transition, the player aims to regain his competitive rhythm after a period of inactivity. His last official match took place on May 17, in Chievo‘s victory over Casatese Rogoredo.
Memories of a Global Talent
Discovered by Grêmio in 2008, the forward built a successful career abroad. After excelling at Shakhtar Donetsk, the athlete played for global football giants such as Bayern Munich and Juventus. His career was also marked by the pride of representing the Brazil national team, participating in the 2018 World Cup under coach Tite.
“The Brazilian now seeks to regain his ideal match fitness after a period without playing due to the end of the European calendar”
After a second stint with Grêmio in 2021 and a brief stay at Fluminense in 2024, the player moved to Sydney FC in Australia before his venture into Italy’s lower divisions. Now, fans await to see if the talent that captivated the world in his golden years can still be decisive for Al-Ittifaq‘s success this season.
