Road from three-time Italian champion to the UAE leads through Serie D
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 15.01.26. | 20:22
A former member of the Old Lady is returning to the Italian scene, as part of a plan to eventually make his way to Dubai
Douglas Costa could soon be pulling on a shirt in Italian football once again, with reports suggesting the former Juventus and Bayern Munich winger is on the verge of a surprise move to Chievo Verona, who currently compete in Serie D.
Former Juventus and Bayern Munich star Douglas Costa is reportedly close to joining Chievo Verona in Italy’s fourth division. pic.twitter.com/l8lWDCJsRn
— Football Italia (@footballitalia) January 15, 2026
Multiple Italian outlets claim the Brazilian is ready to sign for Chievo, a move made possible through the influence of Pietro Laterza, the businessman who owns both the Verona-based club and Dubai outfit Al Ittifaq — the same club that recently brought in Mario Balotelli. With Al Ittifaq unable to register any more foreign players at this stage, the plan would see Costa spend the next six months in Italy before relocating to Dubai in the summer.
Now 35, Costa has been without a team since his deal with Sydney FC came to an end in September 2025. Despite the unexpected nature of a fourth-tier move, his resume remains impressive. Between 2017 and 2020, he made 173 Serie A appearances for Juventus, scoring six goals and supplying 19 assists.
His spell in Turin was decorated with silverware, as he lifted three Serie A titles, along with one Coppa Italia and an Italian Super Cup, leaving a lasting mark during his time at the Allianz Stadium.
