Costinia has been in great form with Rio Ave this season and looks set to bolster the right-hand side of Olympiakos’ defense and give Rodney a hard time.
Olympiacos has made sure to shield the right side of its defense ahead of the new season, as Rodiney will be joined by Costinia, whom Piraeus PAE has already signed for the summer from Rio Ave. The 24-year-old right-back is one of the top performers in his position in the Portuguese league and his attributes are similar to those of Rodney, only he seems to be better in blocking.
The Portuguese defender plays all over the right side for Rio Ave and in 26 league games he has started in all of them with two goals, four assists and two penalties won. Both goals are from inside the area.
The young right-back has averaged 66 touches of the ball per game, one key pass, created six big chances and a 69% pass success rate per game. He also averages 2.8 tackles per match, 53% of duels won on the ground and in the air and has picked up three yellow cards in 26 league games. At the same time, he has three more appearances and two goals in the Cup.
Kostinia has very good technical training, he is fast, takes a lot of initiative, is effective in his marking and a threat to the opposing goal.
Even though the team he plays for is “fighting” to avoid relegation and scoring with the dropper, the Portuguese footballer has a significant contribution in terms of goals and assists. Indicative of the fact is that Rio Ave have scored 26 goals in the league and the 24-year-old has contributed to six of them.
Olympiacos caught up with the Portuguese giants
The Portuguese defender, before being snapped up by Olympiacos in the winter, was targeted by Porto, Sporting Lisbon, Benfica and Braga, while his market value currently stands at €3,500,000 and is on the rise.
Kostinia, who is partnered by Olympiakos loanee Mario Vrousai, is coming off a string of good seasons, with 36 appearances, three goals and three assists last year and 38 appearances, three goals and five assists in all competitions the year before.
Costinha has a total of 113 games, 10 goals and 12 assists with Rio Ave, whose U19 team he joined as a 17-year-old in the summer of 2017. Joao Pedro Loureiro da Costa, as his full name is, is a product of Academy of Porto and then Braga. He has played in the Portuguese national team of Hope and in all the small national teams of his country.