In July 2007, as first-team opportunities appeared few at Porto, Costa signed with Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg on a three-year contract.
After a shaky start, he finished the season as an undisputed starter as the side qualified to the UEFA Cup.

On 28 September 2008, in a match against Karlsruher SC, Costa scored just 15 seconds after his introduction, making it the second-fastest goal ever scored by a substitute.
In the summer of 2009, he was about to be transferred to Real Zaragoza, but the deal collapsed after the two parties could not reach an agreement; the move was finally cancelled on 29 July, and the player returned to Wolfsburg.

On 28 January 2010, although he was being used regularly at Wolfsburg, Costa joined OSC Lille in France.
In July 2007, as first-team opportunities appeared few at Porto, Costa signed with Bundesliga club VfL Wolfsburg on a three-year contract. After a shaky start, he finished the season as an undisputed starter as the side qualified to the UEFA Cup.
On 28 September 2008, in a match against Karlsruher SC, Costa scored just 15 seconds after his introduction, making it the second-fastest goal ever scored by a substitute. In the summer of 2009, he was about to be transferred to Real Zaragoza, but the deal collapsed after the two parties could not reach an agreement; the move was finally cancelled on 29 July, and the player returned to Wolfsburg.
On 28 January 2010, although he was being used regularly at Wolfsburg, Costa joined OSC Lille in France.
Ricardo Costa (footballer, born 1981)