Early career Born in
Praia, Cape Verde, Da Costa was raised in Portugal from 1993 and began playing with U.R. Mercês in Lisbon. He then moved to
Aubagne in southern France, where he started his senior career with Aubagne FC in France's
fifth tier.
Valenciennes Da Costa joined
Valenciennes FC of Ligue 2 on 3 August 2015, following a season of 14 goals and eight assists. In his first professional season, he scored ten goals, including two on 6 May 2016 in a 4–1 win away to relegated
Paris FC. He followed this with nine more in his second year, including a brace in a 3–3 home draw with
FC Bourg-Peronnas on 18 November.
Strasbourg On 3 July 2017, Da Costa signed a four-year deal with
Ligue 1 club
RC Strasbourg, replacing
Khalid Boutaïb who had left for
Malatyaspor. In his first top-flight season he found the net five times, including both goals of a 2–1 win at
OGC Nice on 22 October that earned him a place in ''
L'Équipe''s team of the week. On 4 November, he was sent off after half an hour of a 2–0 loss at
Troyes AC. Da Costa was an 81st-minute substitute for
Lebo Mothiba as they won the
2019 Coupe de la Ligue Final on penalties against
EA Guingamp on 30 March. Four days later, he scored twice in a 4–0 win over
Stade Reims at the
Stade de la Meinau, part of his eight of the season. After that game, former France international
Daniel Bravo described Da Costa's goal as "not bad for a black guy" during his
beIN Sports punditry; he apologised in person for offence caused to the player, who accepted the apology.
Nottingham Forest On 29 January 2020, Da Costa joined
EFL Championship club
Nottingham Forest. The length and cost of the deal was not disclosed. He debuted on 11 February in a 1–0 home loss to
Charlton Athletic, playing the last twenty minutes in place of
Ryan Yates; days later he was injured in an under-23 game against
Crewe Alexandra. Da Costa was loaned to
Belgian First Division A side
Royal Excel Mouscron for the season on 5 October 2020, with the option to make the deal permanent. He scored six goals during his stint, including both of a 2–2 home draw with
OH Leuven on 15 December. On 31 August 2021, Da Costa was loaned out again for a year, returning to the French Ligue 2 at
Caen.
Auxerre On 5 August 2022, Da Costa joined
Ligue 1 side
AJ Auxerre.
Kasımpaşa On 12 September 2023, Da Costa signed for Turkish
Süper Lig side
Kasımpaşa. The duration of the contract and transfer fee were both undisclosed. ==International career==