Brighton have signed Costinha from Olympiakos Piraeus on a five-year contract, with the fee reported at about £11m. The key detail is not just the deal itself but how Fabian Hurzeler framed it. This was presented as a fit-based signing for Brighton's defensive and possession demands, and specifically as added competition at right-back.

Why Brighton moved for Costinha

Hurzeler's comments made the club's thinking fairly clear. Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: "Costinha is a player we have followed closely for some time. He has the defensive capabilities, intensity and understanding of what we value. He is also comfortable in and out of possession and will add competition at right-back."

That matters because it tells you what Brighton believe they are buying. Not just a full-back, but a player they think can cope with the physical and tactical demands they want from the role.

The contract length backs that up too. A five-year deal is a real commitment, especially for a 26-year-old defender arriving from Olympiakos Piraeus. Clubs do not hand those out casually when they see a player as short-term cover only.

Still, there is a difference between being trusted and being guaranteed a shirt. Hurzeler only went as far as saying Costinha will add competition at right-back, and that is the right way to read this move for now. It strengthens the position and gives Brighton another option, but it should not be dressed up as a promise that he walks straight into the team.

What Brighton are getting from Olympiacos

Costinha arrives with a decent body of senior experience. He made 74 appearances for Olympiakos Piraeus and scored 12 goals before moving to Brighton, a return that stands out for a right-back even if the bigger selling point seems to be his all-round game.

Before that, he built up 121 first-team appearances at Rio Ave after joining the Portuguese club in 2017. That does not make him a newcomer Brighton need to develop from scratch. It suggests they are bringing in a player who has already handled regular senior football across more than one club.

His recent usage also points in that direction. Across his 10 most recent Olympiakos Piraeus matches in the available data, Costinha played 507 minutes. That is not the profile of a fringe player drifting out of relevance before a move.

The same sample gave him an average rating of 6.52. That is steady rather than eye-catching, and probably a fair warning against overselling the transfer. Brighton are not signing a player whose last run of form demands superstar language. They look to be signing someone they believe fits the structure, which is usually a better reason for a full-back signing anyway.

Why the competition angle makes sense

Brighton finished 8th in the league with 53 points and conceded 46 goals. Those numbers do not scream crisis, but they do explain why a club in this range keeps looking for marginal gains across the squad.

That is where the Hurzeler quote feels important. He highlighted defensive capability, intensity and comfort in and out of possession. For a right-back, that is basically the full checklist. Brighton want a player who can defend properly, keep the tempo of their game, and handle the ball well enough not to break the structure when building attacks.

There is also a practical point here. Squad competition matters more for clubs trying to hold a strong league finish than fans sometimes admit. Brighton were solid enough last season, but 46 goals conceded leaves room for improvement, and adding another experienced right-back is a sensible way to raise the floor of the squad.

So this looks less like a headline-grabbing move and more like a pretty typical smart Brighton signing. Costinha has age on his side, a substantial run of senior appearances behind him, and the public backing of a coach who clearly sees a tactical fit.

What comes next is straightforward enough. Brighton have brought in Costinha on a long deal for about £11m, and Hurzeler has set the first expectation himself: he is there to compete at right-back.

FAQ

Why have Brighton signed Costinha from Olympiacos?

Brighton have signed Costinha to strengthen the right-back position and increase competition there. Fabian Hurzeler said the club had followed him closely and liked his defensive capabilities, intensity and comfort in and out of possession. The move looks geared toward squad balance as much as simply adding another defender.

How much did Brighton pay for Costinha?

The reported fee is about £11m. Brighton have signed Costinha from Olympiacos on a five-year contract, but the figure has been reported as approximate rather than a confirmed exact total.

Is Costinha expected to start straight away for Brighton?

There is no firm indication that he is a guaranteed immediate starter. Hurzeler's public line was that Costinha will add competition at right-back, which points more to depth and pressure for places than an automatic starting role.

What kind of record does Costinha bring to Brighton?

Costinha arrives with solid senior experience. He made 74 appearances and scored 12 goals for Olympiacos before the move, and he also played 121 first-team games for Rio Ave after joining them in 2017.

Compiled by the ClutchBrief Desk with AI assistance, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →