3 minute read
Douglas Costa's imminent arrival to Sydney FC has generated an incredible buzz in the change room and Rhyan Grant hopes it translates to the A-League's growth.
Sydney FC captain Rhyan Grant admits there has been some fanboying about new signing Douglas Costa in the change room.
Brazilian winger Costa is yet to land in Australia but hype around the arrival of the former Juventus and Bayern Munich star in A-League Men has generated interest worldwide.
Costa will join the Sky Blues as a marquee player for two seasons, arriving in Sydney this weekend as their biggest signing since Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero in 2012.
The 33-year-old brings with him an extensive resume: five trophies with Juventus, six titles with Bayern Munich and 11 cups with Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk.
Sydney's social media numbers have skyrocketed in the 24 hours since Costa's signing was announced on Monday.
The announcement video on social media has reached over one million views worldwide, with reach up to 3,000 per cent compared to usual numbers.
"Everyone's pretty up and about, and the boys are no different, especially the younger guys," Grant told AAP on Tuesday.
"There's a few comments like 'I've used him on (soccer video game) FIFA' and whatnot over the years.
"We've done pretty well with our signings but to have someone of his calibre, to have him, his presence and his quality, is going to make a big difference and a boost for the boys.
"It's always nice to get, for lack of a better word, a superstar in and around the group."
Grant himself isn't immune to the buzz around Costa, fondly bringing up how he crossed paths with the tricky winger at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
"It's a bit of a claim to fame to have played against a player of his calibre when he was a bit younger and coming through," Grant said.
"We got to play him in the last pool game. He scored in that game.
"(Socceroos great) Aaron Mooy scored a free kick to kick us off and give us a good start, but they ended up beating us.
"He turned me inside out a few times but I'm not sure if he'll remember it or not, because he's gone on to do a lot of great things.
"But it's something I definitely remember and was awesome to be a part of."
Grant hopes Costa's signing can attract more fans to games in a bid to rejuvenate the cash-strapped league.
While reporting a third year of consecutive growth following the 2023/24 season, the Australian Professional Leagues slashed club distribution to just $530,000, down close to $2 million last season.
Overall attendance across the season increased by seven per cent with an average attendance of 8600, with broadcast audiences up by 53 per cent.
"There's been a few players over the years that have really brought people from outside the sport, outside of football, to games," Grant said.
"Like Del Piero and Dwight Yorke, just to name a few from Sydney over the years, that have really brought people in and put bums on seats.
"He'll be another one of those players.
"The financial position of probably all the clubs and the league itself, they've been pretty open about it, so to still be able to attract a player like that goes to show that the league is still doing really well and still very strong.
"A lot of people will want to come and watch him play, and in doing that, they're going to have to watch the A-League.
"They will see the quality that there is in the league."
