9 December 2005, by Tom Kundert

Jorge Costa signs for Standard Liège

Strong emotions as captain says his goodbyes

Jorge Costa has agreed an 18-month contract with Standard Liège.

The former Portugal centre-back will be available for selection from January onwards, and joins compatriots Sérgio Conceição and Moreira at the club currently leading the Belgian League.

The appointment of Co Adriaanse as head coach at the start of the season signalled the end of the road for Costa at Porto, as the veteran captain was never part of Dutchman’s plans.

The transfer ends a long and triumphant association with Portugal’s most successful club over the past decade, the high point of which was the lifting of the 2003/04 Champions League.

“Fourteen years creates a very strong link,” said Costa. “It wasn’t easy to say goodbye to the club. My heart will always belong to Porto.”

“But I’ve had two or three months to think about my future and make a decision. I thought it out carefully and I’m sure I’ve made the right decision. I hope I achieve success in Belgium and Porto has a lot of success in Portugal and in Europe.”

Costa admitted that the chance to join his former Porto team mate and great friend Sérgio Conceição played a big part in his decision. “The presence of Sérgio Conceição was the key to my move to Belgium.”

After spending years in the doldrums Standard Liége are challenging strongly for the Belgian title, and are currently joint top of the table with Anderlecht, on 32 points.