Dinis Costa Lima Almeida (born 28 June 1995) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a central defender for First Professional Football League club CSKA Sofia.
Club career Born in Esposende, Braga District, Almeida finished his development at Varzim SC. His senior debut occurred in 2013–14, as he scored a career-best seven goals to help G.D. Joane finish fifth in the regular season third division but eventually being relegated.
Almeida then spent two years in the Spanish Segunda División B, with CF Reus Deportiu. In the summer of 2016 he signed with AS Monaco FC, being immediately loaned to C.F. Os Belenenses of Portugal's Primeira Liga. He made his debut in the competition on 27 August, coming on as a 46th-minute substitute in a 1–0 away win against C.D. Tondela. His only goal arrived in his fourth appearance, helping the visitors to a 3–1 away defeat of Sporting CP.
On 31 August 2017, still owned by Monaco, Almeida was loaned to S.C. Braga, being assigned to their reserves in the Segunda Liga. He joined Xanthi F.C. on loan for the following campaign, scoring his first goal for the Greek club on 17 February 2019 in a 1–1 draw away to Athlitiki Enosi Larissa FC.
Almeida spent the following seasons also abroad, with PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv (winning the Bulgarian Cup in 2019–20 after a penalty shootout defeat of PFC CSKA Sofia, where he converted his attempt) and Royal Antwerp FC (Belgian Pro League). He returned to Bulgaria in January 2023, agreeing to a contract at PFC Ludogorets Razgrad; shortly after arriving, he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, being sidelined for several months.
Almeida scored his first goal in the UEFA Champions League on 6 August 2024, opening a 2–1 away win over Qarabağ FK in the third qualifying round through a 56th-minute header. He also featured in the second leg, a 7–2 extra time loss.
Ahead of the 2026–27 season, Almeida remained in the First Professional Football League on a two-year contract at CSKA Sofia.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsJoane2013–14Campeonato de Portugal32700———327Reus2014–15Segunda División B14100———1412015–1619210———202Total33310———343Belenenses (loan)2016–17Primeira Liga610011——72Braga B (loan)2017–18Liga Portugal 2242————242Xanthi (loan)2018–19Super League Greece21240———252Lokomotiv Plovdiv2019–20First Professional Football League23361———2942020–2130410—1010334Total53771—1010628Antwerp2021–22Belgian Pro League24000—60—3002022–238010—42—132Total32010—102—432Ludogorets Razgrad2023–24First Professional Football League11141—20001722024–2527340—164114882025–2623150—130—411Total615131—3141110611CSKA Sofia2026–27First Professional Football League2000—001030Career total26427262114263133637
Honours Lokomotiv Plovdiv Bulgarian Cup: 2019–20 Bulgarian Supercup: 2020
Ludogorets Razgrad First Professional Football League: 2023–24, 2024–25 Bulgarian Cup: 2024–25 Bulgarian Supercup: 2023, 2024
CSKA Sofia Bulgarian Supercup: 2026
References
External links