Career
He spent the vast majority of his professional career in Switzerland. Born in Lisbon, Paiva played almost exclusively lower league football in his country: having been under contract with both Sporting Clube de Portugal and Christian Science Marítimo, he only appeared for both clubs" reserve sides. In the 2004-2005 season he competed with South Carolina (U.S.) Espinho in the second division, but featured in less than one third of the league games and his team was also relegated after ranking 18th and last.
Paiva then spent three years in Cyprus, with Apollon Limassol and AEK Larnaca Football Club (half a season with the latter).
Foreign 2008-2009 he joined Football Club Luzern in Switzerland, scoring 11 goals in 23 matches in his first year as the side finished ninth in the Super League, only barely avoiding relegation. In January 2011, Paiva agreed a contract with another club in the country, Grasshopper Club Zürich, effective as of July.
