Diego Costa joins PAOK on loan from Krasnodar

PAOK has officially completed the signing of 27-year-old Brazilian central defender Diego Henrique Costa Barbosa from the Russian club Krasnodar. The player arrived in Thessaloniki on the morning of September 5, 2026, following a slight delay from his original travel schedule. The deal is structured as a one-year loan agreement, with PAOK holding an option to purchase the defender for eight million euros at the conclusion of the current competitive season. The club has announced that the player will wear jersey number 19.

Born in Campo Grande, Brazil, in 1999, Costa began his professional career with Sao Paulo, where he eventually served as captain and helped the team secure the Brazilian Cup in 2023. He transferred to Krasnodar in July 2024, where he established himself as a key member of their defensive line before this move to the Greek league. Following his arrival and the completion of necessary medical examinations, the deal was finalized, marking a significant addition to the PAOK roster for the upcoming campaign.