Timbers sign Portuguese midfielder David Da Costa as a Designated Player
The club reportedly paid $6 million for the 24-year-old.
The Designated Player spot left vacant by Evander wasn’t even cold before the Portland Timbers announced who was going to be taking it.
The club announced today that they have signed 24-year-old Portuguese midfielder David Da Costa from Ligue 1 side RC Lens to a contract through 2028 with a club option for 2029. Da Costa will occupy a DP spot on the roster. According to Tom Bogert of Give Me Sport, the Timbers reportedly paid a $6 million transfer fee for their new DP.
Da Costa spent the last four seasons with RC Lens, where he made 123 starts and tallied 11 goals and 17 assists. While in France, Da Costa was part of RC Lens’ campaigns in the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League Qualifying matches. Hailing from Almada, Portugal (the same hometown as Portuguese soccer legend Luís Figo) Da Costa has spent time in Portugal’s international youth team set up, recording minutes at the U-21, U-19, and U-18 level.
“We are elated to add a player with David’s ability and pedigree. He has already shown his qualities at a very competitive level, both in the French Ligue and in European competitions. This commitment speaks volumes to David’s ambition to depart the club he grew up in to take on an even bigger role here with the Portland Timbers,” said Timbers General Manager Ned Grabavoy in a press release from the club.
“David is an intelligent player who can impact the game with or without the ball. He has just turned 24, and with consistency and confidence, David still has the potential for further growth as a player. Our staff is excited to begin integrating him into our group, and we look forward to seeing him in a Portland Timbers kit soon.”
That valuation from Grabavoy highlights that Da Costa is seen as a player both for now and for the future. He will be expected to step up and become the creative focal point of Portland’s attack this season, and also continue to develop and become a key piece of Portland’s roster for years to come.
It’s significant that Grabavoy highlighted Da Costa’s ability both with and without the ball, suggesting that Da Costa’ profile is more of a two-way threat than just purely offensive.
Timbers head coach Phil Neville also expressed his enthusiasm at what Da Costa will bring, sharing via press release, “We’re really excited with the signing of David. We’ve been watching him for a long time – he’s a flare player. He’s young, quick and has a massive potential. He’s going to fit right into the system and style of play that we want to play at Portland.”
Announced just an hour after the Evander transfer went final, it is clear that the Timbers acted quickly to get Da Costa in the fold as soon as they could. He met up with his new club in California while they were taking part in the Coachella Valley Invitational, and already is taking part in first team training sessions.
With Da Costa now a Timber, Portland’s offseason business appears to be done. The fact that it’s finished six days before the season starts is significant, as Neville and his squad head into the new season with full knowledge of who will (and won’t) be in the locker room, and what the path forward for the team is.
Da Costa will of course need time to settle into MLS and Portland, and his teammates will need time to gel and adjust to his style of play. The time for that all to click will come, and it just might come soon — because there is a season of soccer coming just on the horizon.
You can read the full press release on Da Costa’s signing here.
From what I can tell we have an open DP slot. You're allowed either three DPs and three U-22 Initiative players, or two DPs and four U-22 Initiative players along with an extra $2M in GAM to spend. We currently have two DPs (da Costa and Rodríguez) and two U-22s (Ayala and Moreno) so it appears we could get either one more of each, or two more U-22s if we're using the $2M in GAM. Note that the rules about what constitutes a "U-22 Initiative player" are complicated, involving homegrown status and foreign signings, and players can actually be up to 25 years old and still qualify.
Timbers roster (which still lists Evander!): https://www.timbers.com/roster/
MLS roster rules: https://www.mlssoccer.com/about/roster-rules-and-regulations
Call me skeptical that David Da Costa is going to be a creative focal point for the offense. He has .22 goal contributions per game if I am reading this right? I'm sure he's a great player, but definitely not an Evander "replacement" if that's the thought. Or, if it is, Timbers feel like they're going to be a rough watch this season, even if they do end up with a better record.