Nuno da Costa
Nuno Miguel da Costa Jóia simply Nuno da Costa, is a Cape Verdean professional footballer who plays as a forward for Nottingham Forest.
Raised in France, he began his senior career with Aubagne in the fifth tier before moving to Valenciennes of Ligue 2 in 2015. Two years later he debuted in Ligue 1 with Strasbourg, where he won the Coupe de la Ligue in 2019. In January 2020, he signed for Nottingham Forest.
Da Costa scored on his senior international debut for Cape Verde in June 2016.
Club career
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.On 4 January 2014, Da Costa scored the opening goal of a 3–3 draw at home to Ligue 2 club Dijon FCO in the last 64 of the Coupe de France, losing on penalties.
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's 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'Équipes 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.International career
Da Costa made his international debut for Cape Verde on 4 June 2016 in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match away to São Tomé and Príncipe. He came on in the 73rd minute for Garry Rodrigues, and six minutes later scored in a 2–1 win.Career statistics
Club
International goals
| No | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1. | 4 June 2016 | Estádio Nacional 12 de Julho, São Tomé, São Tomé and Principe | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification |