Fiorentina sign Manuel Da Costa - TalkSoccer

**D-Kin** · 29-01-2008, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Viola pounce for Da Costa Tuesday 29 January, 2008

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fiorentina have made a surprise swoop for Portuguese prodigy Manuel Da Costa of PSV.

While Juventus, Inter and Parma were believed to be targeting the 21-year-old defender, there had been no indication in the peninsula’s Press that the Viola were lining up a bid.

However, late last night sporting director Pantaleo Corvino agreed a deal worth around £3m with the Dutch giants for one of Europe’s rising stars.

Although born in France and unable to speak fluent Portuguese, Da Costa opted to represent his father’s homeland rather than Les Bleus at Under-21 level.

With Federico Balzaretti joining Palermo and Anthony Vanden Borre on loan to Genoa, Coach Cesare Prandelli had been looking a little short of defensive cover, but the addition of Da Costa is a huge boost.

The former AS Nancy man is expected to arrive at the Stadio Artemio Franchi later this afternoon to meet his new colleagues and complete the formalities and he could watch the Coppa Italia clash against Lazio on Wednesday from the stands.

channel4.com - Football Italia

Is he any good?

**Oliver_Kahn** · 29-01-2008, 02:04 PM

Good player, I like him.

Very strong CB, unbeatable in the air, leads the defense and likes to go forward as well, he actually has good technique

He has already a few games for the Portuguese NT I think. I'm sure he has been called up, not sure if he has played

If he is given playing time, he'll become a class player.

Porto should have signed him, I rate him highly

**D-Kin** · 29-01-2008, 02:08 PM

Can he play FB?

I think that's why Fiorentina signed him.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 29-01-2008, 02:10 PM

I don't think so, at least not that I know. All games I've seen of him, he played CB

Blaugrana · 29-01-2008, 02:47 PM

I think he played LB 1 or 2 times before but i'm not sure, as he hasn't played much for PSV. He has only played 1 league match this season (mainly due to an injury). I think he's quite decent but he'll have to prove himself a bit more first.

PSV are now looking for a CB to replace him, but if they can't find any they'll promote a youngster from their youth system

**Sven** · 29-01-2008, 04:23 PM

Not good enough for Chelsea to actually bring him in, if you believe the statments that said we owned 1/2 of him, or had first rights, we went for a more expensive better defender.

I wonder if PSV will use Rajakovic more. What do you know about Slobodans time at PSV Blaug mate.