Da Costa: Filipe

2007-2008 (Leeds Player Details)(Player Details)

Midfield/Winger

Born: Lisbon Portugal: 30-08-1984

Debut v Darlington (a) (Substitute) (Johnstone's Paint Trophy): 9-10-2007

5’11” 11st 5lb (2007)

Da Costa started off in Benfica’s Under-Nine team and progressed through Portuguese teams Amora FC (2001-02) and Sporting Braga (2002-03) before leaving his native country for Reggiana Italy in 2003. He stayed there for eighteen months until he left for Ionikos in Greece, where he remained for a year before moving to Larissa. He was signed from Larissa by Dennis Wise on transfer deadline day, 31st August 2007. He was a lively, skilful, naturally left-footed midfielder with a hard shot who could play on both wings. Talented players often attract agricultural tackles from lesser-skilled players and Da Costa had been known to retaliate. It was thought that he might have to look beyond Dennis Wise and Gus Poyet for lessons on keeping one's temper on the pitch! He lived up to his reputation and was sent off three minutes before half-time for a retaliatory foul in his first start in a game for Leeds against Bury. It could not be said that he spent long on the pitch in any of his games for Leeds. He was an unused substitute at home to Yeovil Town, before making his debut in the following match as a substitute at Darlington in the First Round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy when he replaced skipper Alan Thompson after fifty-seven minutes. He got his first taste of League football in the next game when Leyton Orient visited Elland Road and he replaced David Prutton after seventy-seven minutes. He came off the bench in the ninetieth minute to replace Jermaine Beckford in the home fixture with Millwall followed by a s eventy-seventh minute substitution for Sebastien Carole in the defeat at Carlisle United, as substitute for Andy Hughes in the eighty-ninth minute at Bournemouth, and finally as the replacement for Curtis Weston after seventy-two minutes ibn the FA Cup encounter at Hereford United He was loaned to Falkirk for a short while, then, on 14th April 2008, Da Costa’s contract was cancelled by mutual consent. He returned to Portugal after making just seven appearances, all but one as a substitute. He had not figured in the first team since being sent off in his first start against Bury in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in November 2007. He had about one hundred and forty minutes playing time in his seven appearances. United Manager Gary McAllister commented: "It's been on the cards for a wee bit now. We've tried to nurse him through three or four injuries which have disrupted his progress. But the responsibility of a Manager is to pick the best team and there comes a point where you feel some of these guys are not up to the level you are looking for." He signed for Rumanian side FC Timisoara in May of 2008 but left without playing a game. He signed with Bulgarian side CSKA Sofia on 30th August 2008 and made his debut on 4th October 2008. He started five League games and one Cup tie but was often substituted and was released on 6th January 2009. He joined Levski Sofia on 3rd March 2009 and made his debut as a substitute the following day against Vihren at the start of the second half in a Cup match. He started five League games, but was substituted in four of them, and he came on as a substitute in three games. He was transferred to Portuguese club Nacional on 9th July 2009. He failed to make the first team, although he was twice an unused substitute, and was released on 5th January 2010 and was signed by Portuguese Second Division club G.D. Estoril-Praia. He made three substitute appearances and was twice an unused substitute, in all he was only on the pitch for forty minutes, before the end of the 2009-10 season. He joined Greek Second Division side Panserraikos for the 2011-12 season and in the fourth game of the season against Anagennisi Epanomis on 19th November 2011, he came on as a substitute after 10 minutes and was replaced after 53 minutes.