Charlton Athletic tributes flow in for "warrior" Jorge Costa

Champions League winner instantly became a fans' favourite after 2001-02 Premier League loan move to SE7

Former Charlton Athletic players and staff have paid tribute to Jorge Costa, who has passed away at the age of 53.

The former centre-back - nicknamed The Tank - was a huge hit during a loan spell from FC Porto during the 2001-02 Premier League campaign.

Picture: Alamy

Costa made 26 appearances in all competitions for the Addicks after arriving in December 2001.

Then boss Alan Curbishley was keen on a £4million permanent deal for the Portuguese international, saying towards the end of that season: “Jorge has been absolutely superb since he came to England. He has shown he is more than capable of holding his own in the Premiership.”

A transfer was scuppered after a change of head coach at Porto. Octavio Machado was replaced by Jose Mourinho with club president Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa saying at the time: “Jose Mourinho is counting on Costa.

“Charlton did not pay the contract down payment before the deadline, which was the end of April. But even if they change their minds we have already made up ours. Jorge Costa is a quality player who did not leave Porto because of his value.”

Costa went on to win the UEFA Cup and Champions League under Mourinho’s management.

Former Addicks team-mate Chris Powell told South London Sport: Charlton Athletic Edition: “I’m in shock. He wasn’t at the club long, half a season, but he is so well-remembered, I think because of the actual quality he showed and where he came from - a Portuguese international who was playing for Porto. Probably Allan Simonsen was the last Charlton player to have that kind of pedigree.

“He came in and hit the ground running. He was hard as nails and fitted in with the boys brilliantly. His English wasn’t great, but we understood him and he understood us.”

Peter Varney, chief executive when Costa arrived in SE7, said: “He was a giant when he played for us. He was so strong and aggressive. At times it felt like he was defending on his own.

“He was a class defender. He was fearless. If you look at the reaction to the news from Charlton fans, he played so few games but is so fondly remembered here - just because of the way he performed. He played like the fans wanted a defender to play. He flew into tackles and he was a warrior. They just took to him straight away.”

Steve Brown, chairman of Charlton’s Ex-Players' Association, said: “Jorge was a very quiet and unassuming man, considering the stature he walked into the building with. He was a man-mountain and yet one of the most humble guys.

“If you packaged him up he was a guy who came in with no fuss, with no bother, did his job, didn’t think too much about it or want praise for it - he got the job done and then went home.

“He was larger than life in terms of what you got as a football player. He was a wonderful human being.

“I’ll give you an example, back in the day there were probably some players getting ahead of their station and driving fancy cars into training. Jorge pulled up on the first day in a Chrysler. That’s Jorge - very unassuming but very effective as a football player.”

The cause of death has been reported as cardiac arrest.

Porto have posted their own message after the news about their ex-defender, who made more than 250 appearances for them and also became their director of football.

“Jorge Costa has left us,” said the Portuguese side. “One of us, a leader, captain, example. A symbol of FC Porto. Thank you for being FC Porto until the end. Forever, Jorge Costa.”