It was at the beginning of the mid-season January transfer window when young Portuguese full-back Diogo Costa received a call from the Lion City Sailors technical director Luka Lalić, who presented him with an intriguing opportunity — a new and exciting footballing adventure in Singapore.

The idea of moving 12,000km away from home initially made Diogo hesitant, but the allure of the Sailors’ project proved too compelling to ignore. That was what convinced him to temporarily leave the comforts of home and his boyhood club, FC Famalicão, to join the Sailors on loan until the end of the 2024/25 season.

“Moving to the other side of the world initially felt very daunting,” Diogo admitted. “But after speaking with Luka and learning more about the Sailors’ project, it didn’t take me long to decide that I wanted to come to Singapore to help the club achieve its goals.”

To ease his transition into his new club, Diogo’s teammates welcomed him with open arms, which helped the Portuguese settle in seamlessly. He has since established himself as a key player in Coach Ranko’s side, even registering an assist in his first three matches.

Citing fellow countryman Rui Pires as one of the many teammates he quickly bonded with, Diogo shared: “From the moment I stepped into the club, I felt wanted. Everyone, from my teammates to the staff, has been incredibly welcoming, which made it easier for me to adapt. Now, I’m starting to feel like this is home.”

Being far from family in a foreign land is never easy for any footballer, but Diogo has shown that he possesses not just technical ability, but also the maturity of a seasoned pro.

“Even though I’m a young foreign player, I don’t think age matters. As long as I stay professional and bring the right mindset to every training session and match, everything becomes much easier — both on and off the pitch,” he added.

Diogo’s modern-day full-back abilities were on full display in his Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) Two debut against Muangthong United, where the Sailors battled to a hard-fought 3-2 away victory in the first leg of the Round of 16. The 21-year-old was a livewire down the left flank, and won his side a penalty early on after a mazy run into the box.

“For me, the team played well. We completely dominated them in the first half and managed to go 3-0 up early, which gave us plenty of confidence,” said Diogo.

“Taking such a big early lead can sometimes be risky, as teams tend to relax and sit back. But that wasn’t the case for us — we kept pushing and were ultimately able to leave Thailand with the win.”

Diogo also demonstrated his defensive prowess, playing a key role in a resolute Sailors backline that battled to protect their lead despite being reduced to 10 men early in the second half.

“In moments like these, it’s crucial that we stay together as a team,” Diogo emphasised. “It was tough, but we kept encouraging and motivating each other after every tackle and block. That spirit and togetherness were what got us over the line.”

The job is far from done, however, as a fired-up Muangthong awaits the Sailors at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday (20 February). Having clawed back two goals in the first leg, the Thai side will take some confidence into this clash, but Diogo remains certain that his team is ready for the challenge.

“This game is crucial because the level in the ACL Two is high, and that pushes us to maintain our standards. There will be pressure, but that’s a good thing — I enjoy playing under pressure,” said Diogo.

“The goal within the team is clear – we want to show that we can compete with the best of Asia. With our team spirit and strong belief, I believe we have everything we need to get the job done and progress to the next stage.”

Calling on the Sailors faithful to rally behind the team, Diogo believes they could be the difference-maker as the club stands on the cusp of history. After all, if the Sailors can hold on to their lead, they will become the first Singaporean side to reach the ACL Two quarter-finals.

“We have some really supportive fans here. Their support drives us through the toughest moments on the pitch, and we need them more than ever this Thursday. As a team, we’re going to give everything to give them a night to remember.”