Career
Mainly a forward, he can also appear as a winger or an attacking midfielder. Born in Guarulhos, São Paulo, Paulinho joined hometown club Associate of Arts Flamengo"s youth setup in 2006, after starting it out at amateurs Vasco da Gama de Vila Galvão. In 2008, after impressing with the first team, he was linked to a move to São Paulo, but it did not materialize.
In 2009, after failed trials at Corinthians, Paulinho moved to XV de Piracicaba.
With the club he experienced two promotions, and was also the top scorer of 2011 Copa Paulista. On 13 July 2012, Paulinho was loaned to PFC Ludogorets Razgrad for six months.
Four days later, however, he left the club after alleging "personal reasons". On 7 May 2013, after impressing in the year"s Campeonato Paulista, Paulinho signed for Série A side Flamengo along with XV teammate Diego Silva.
He made his Série A debut on 26 May, coming on as a late substitute for Gabriel in a 0–0 away draw against Santos.
Paulinho scored his first top flight goal on 14 July 2013, netting the game"s only in an away success at fierce rivals Vasco da Gama. He finished the season with 33 appearances and four goals, overtaking Marcelo Moreno as a first-choice along with Hernane. On 7 April 2014, Paulinho signed a new four-year deal with Fla, who paid R$1 million fee for 60% of his federative rights.
He continued to appear regularly until September, when he suffered a knee injury which took him out of action for six months.
On 13 September 2015, during his 100th match for Flamengo, Paulinho scored the first goal through a spetacular volley in a 3–1 away success over Chapecoense. On 4 January of the following year he moved to Santos, in a one-year loan deal.
