Cadú

Paços Ferreira

Cadú was born in Paços de Ferreira, Porto District. joining Paços de Ferreira's youth system aged 8 initially as a forward. He began his senior career in the fourth division with Aliados Lordelo, moving to the third tier with Gondomar for the 2001–02 season also on loan. Cadú subsequently returned to Paços, making his Primeira Liga debut on 29 September 2002 in a 3–1 home win over Boavista under manager José Mota. He scored his first goal the following 23 February in the 2–0 victory over Gil Vicente, adding two more until the end of the campaign in a 3–1 loss at Beira-Mar and a 1–0 home defeat of Porto. In the following season, Cadú's team finished in 17th place and was relegated.

Boavista

In summer 2004, Cadú signed for Boavista. In his debut campaign, he scored twice from 30 appearances for the sixth-placed side. In 2005–06, Cadú scored in a 1–1 home draw against Vitória de Guimarães, as they eventually achieved the same placement.

CFR Cluj

On 14 July 2006, Cadú joined CFR Cluj alongside his compatriots Manuel José, Pedro Oliveira and António Semedo, for a €750,000 fee. He made his Liga I debut on 6 August, when player-coach Dorinel Munteanu sent him in as a 79th-minute substitute for Zoran Milošević in a 4–0 home victory over Unirea Urziceni. He scored his first league goal on 20 September, in the 5–1 home win against FC Universitatea Craiova. Cadú was awarded captaincy in late 2007. During that season, CFR won a double to…

Cadú played four matches for the Portugal under-21 team, adding two appearances at B level.

CFR Cluj

Liga I: 2007–08, 2009–10, 2011–12 Cupa României: 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10 Supercupa României: 2009, 2010 Individual

Liga I Central Defender of the Year: 2009–10