Júnior Santos

Early career

Born in Conceição do Jacuípe, Bahia, Júnior Santos worked as a bricklayer until age 20, when he moved to the state capital of Salvador and played amateur football. Three years later, a prophecy in church foretold his future as a travelling professional footballer. After a friend invited him for trials at Osvaldo Cruz almost 2,000 kilometres away in São Paulo, Júnior Santos impressed scouts, signed permanently and made his senior debut on 8 August 2017 by starting in a 1–1 away draw against Presidente Prudente FC in the Campeonato Paulista Segunda Divisão. On 25 June 2017, he netted his first two goals in a 2–2 home draw against José Bonifácio, ending the season with five goals in 20 appearances as Osvaldo Cruz was knocked out in the quarterfinals.

Ituano

On 11 January 2018, Júnior Santos was presented at Ituano. He made his debut for the club on 3 February 2018, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 1–1 Campeonato Paulista home draw against Ponte Preta. Júnior Santos scored his first professional goal on 26 February 2018, netting the game's only in a home defeat of Red Bull Brasil. He finished the tournament with four goals in 11 appearances.

Loan to Ponte Preta

On 8 April 2018, Júnior Santos was loaned to Série B side Ponte Preta until the end of the year, with a buyout clause. On his debut for the club four days later, he scored the last in a 3–0 home win against Náutico for the year's Copa do Brasil.

Fortaleza

On…

As of 15 December 2025

Fortaleza

Campeonato Cearense: 2019 Copa do Nordeste: 2019 Kashiwa Reysol

J2 League: 2019 Botafogo

Taça Rio: 2024 Copa Libertadores: 2024 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2024 Atlético Mineiro

Campeonato Mineiro: 2025 Individual

Copa do Nordeste Team of the Tournament: 2019 Copa do Nordeste Top scorer: 2019 J.League Cup Top scorer: 2022 Copa Libertadores Top scorer: 2024