Cândido Costa

Porto

Costa was born in São João da Madeira, Aveiro District. Having finished his formative years at S.L. Benfica, he joined FC Porto following a brief stint with S.C. Salgueiros (where he made his Primeira Liga debut, in 1999–2000). In his first full season at Porto, 2000–01, he contributed 18 games and two goals, but the title was lost in the penultimate round to neighbours Boavista FC. Costa was barely used in the 2002–03 title-winning side under José Mourinho, but played twice in the final win of the UEFA Cup, including the entirety of an inconsequential 2–0 away loss against Polonia Warsaw in the second leg of the first round. At the start of 2003, Costa was loaned to Vitória F.C. for the remainder of the season. In July, also on loan, he signed with Football League First Division club Derby County for the 2003–04 campaign. He was sent off before half-time on 25 August for a foul on Richard Langley in a 4–1 defeat at Cardiff City; over 35 appearances, he scored once in a 1–1 draw away to West Bromwich Albion on 26 December.

Braga and Belenenses

Costa joined S.C. Braga in 2004–05, on a three-year contract with the option of two more. Having started his career as a winger, he agreed to a deal at C.F. Os Belenenses for the 2006–07 season, ultimately reconverting into the right-back position and becoming an undisputed starter for the Lisbon-based team, scoring against F.C. Paços de Ferreira on 18 March 2007 in a 2–0 away win.

Later career

After…

Porto

Primeira Liga: 2002–03 Taça de Portugal: 2000–01, 2002–03 UEFA Cup: 2002–03 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira runner-up: 2000