Porto have announced that goalkeeper Diogo Costa has penned a new long-term contract.
Having come through the academy system at the Portuguese giants, the 23-year-old's progression had not necessarily been anything spectacular before the start of 2021-22.
However, since then, Costa has quickly established himself as one of the most highly-rated goalkeepers in world football, initially starring as Porto regained the top-flight title last season.
That has since been backed up this campaign, Costa keeping eight clean sheets in 17 matches in Primeira Liga and the Champions League, helping his side progress as group winners in the latter.
As a result of his rise to prominence, Costa is due to go to the World Cup with his country, having earned seven caps, while he has also attracted admirers from elsewhere.
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That includes from Manchester United who have been contemplating how to deal with their goalkeeping situation moving forward with David de Gea due to hold contract talks in the coming months.
However, regardless of whatever decision is made regarding the long-serving Spaniard, it is now highly unlikely that Costa will arrive at Old Trafford as a replacement.
On Thursday evening, Porto announced that they had agreed a new long-term deal with Costa, who has penned terms at Estadio do Dragao until 2027.
Furthermore, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano says that a release clause in the region of €75m (£65.3m) is now present in his contract.
🤩✍ 𝗗𝗶𝗼𝗴𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗮 é Dragão até 2027 🐉
— FC Porto (@FCPorto) November 3, 2022
💙 A história continua...#FCPorto #DiogoCosta2027 pic.twitter.com/86undAyxwW
Speaking after committing his immediate future to Porto, Costa said: "I want to thank the president for this moment. The feeling is the same as last year. This is my home and I'm another one helping FC Porto to have as many titles as possible. I will always work, I will never change the way I am.
"It is a huge honour for me to renew my contract with the club of my heart. I'm with the club looking for goals. That's why we work individually and collectively. What is there [the gloves with which he saved four penalties in the group stage of the Champions League] is the merit of the staff and the entire team.
"The collective, for me, is the most important. This profession demands responsibility, even more being in a club like this. It's a part of life and I'll be here to deal with it naturally."
Having featured in Portugal's final two fixtures before the World Cup in September, Costa is hoping to be regarded as first choice when his national team start their World Cup campaign in Qatar later this month.
Darren Plant
