Gilson Costa: Portugal and Sao Tome and Principe defender joins Yangon City

Portugal and Sao Tome and Principe centre-back Gilson Costa has joined Myanmar club Yangon City from Mosta on a free transfer.

The 29-year-old has signed a contract with Yangon City until 30 June 2027 and will play in the M League. Costa’s move was completed on 26 August, one day before his arrival was recorded, bringing an end to his short spell with Maltese side Mosta.

Costa joined Mosta from fellow Maltese club Tarxien on a free transfer in February 2026. His move to Yangon City is the latest step in a career that has taken him across several leagues in Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

The defender began his youth career with Sporting before moving through Belenenses and Benfica’s academy system. He progressed to Benfica B, where he played during the 2015-16 season, before spending time with Arouca on loan in the following campaign.

Costa later represented Boavista and Estoril in Portugal. He left Estoril in 2020 to join Cypriot club Doxa Katokopia, again on a free transfer, before moving to Oman’s Al-Nahda in 2021.

His subsequent career included spells with Kazakhstan club FC Aksu and Lebanese side Nejmeh SC. Costa helped Nejmeh win the Lebanese Premier League title during the 2023-24 season, the first recorded league championship of his career.

He then joined Indonesian club Persebaya in 2024 and later spent time without a club before returning to football with Tarxien in December 2025. His move to Mosta followed two months later.

Costa has made 40 appearances in Liga Portugal 2, scoring three goals and providing one assist. He has also played in Portugal’s top flight, the Cypriot leagues, the Lebanese Premier League, Kazakhstan’s Premier Liga and the AFC Cup.

Standing 1.85m tall and favouring his right foot, Costa joins a Yangon City side competing in Myanmar’s top division. He has now completed a free transfer from Mosta and is contracted to Yangon City through June 2027.