Costa was born in Navelim, a town in the Indian State of Goa. He began playing football at an early age and played for a local club, Juniors Salunkas, as a child. He idolized Goan footballer and midfielder Climax Lawrence, and began playing in that position. Costa was included in the under-20 side of Churchill Brothers after he impressed the owners of the team who saw him play at a local match.[1]
Career
Churchill Brothers
Costa, after going through his youth career at Churchill Brothers,[2] made his debut for the senior squad in the I-League on 11 October 2012 against ONGC at the Fatorda Stadium, coming on as a 68th-minute substitute for Bikramjit Singh in a match that his team won 5–0.[3]
East Bengal
In May 2017, East Bengal announced the signing of Richard Costa and Surabuddin Mullick from Churchill Brothers.[4]
On 12 January 2018, East Bengal released Gabriel Fernandes and Richard Costa from their squad.[5]
Churchill Brothers
Costa returned to his previous club Churchill Brothers after he got released from East Bengal.[5] He scored his first goal in the 2023–24 season, on 22 November 2023, a headed goal in the 4–0 against TRAU FC. He also had one assist in the game.[6] He scored again four days later, against Gokulam Kerala, that ended in a 1–1 draw.[7]