Jorge Costa: Porto’s Champions League-winning captain dies aged 53

Former Porto captain Jorge Costa has died aged 53 after having a cardiac arrest at the club’s training centre, the Portuguese side has confirmed.

The defender led Porto to Champions League glory under manager Jose Mourinho in 2004 and won 50 caps for Portugal.

Costa spent a season on loan at Charlton in the Premier League in 2001-02 and retired from playing in 2006.

The centre-back moved into management and held positions at 16 clubs before taking up the role of Porto’s director of professional football last season.

“Throughout his life, both on and off the pitch, Jorge Costa embodied the values that define FC Porto: dedication, leadership, passion and an unshakeable spirit of conquest,” the club said. “He left his mark on generations of fans.”