Paulo Afonso Santos Júnior

Paulo Afonso Santos Júnior called Paulão ( born May 6, 1982 in Lagoa Santa ( Minas Gerais ) ) is a Brazilian football player who is under contract with Spanish side Real Betis since 2012.

Career

Paulão began his career at local club Atlético Mineiro, for which he was active in the youth department, and two years as a pro. Following this, he moved to the neighboring Club América Mineiro, but for which he was only one year's activity. After a half year stay with the SE Gama Paulão made ​​the jump to Europe, which, like many other professionals, led him to Portugal. There he signed to Naval 1 º de Maio, where he was placed in the next three seasons as a center-back and in that time completed 84 missions for the club.

Through its services Paulão aroused the interest of other Portuguese clubs, so it undertook in the summer of 2009, the League rival SC Braga. There he came to his first stakes on an international level, as the team in the Europa League failed in the third qualifying round on IF Elfsborg. In the rest of the season came on Paulão seven league bets and had part in making Braga finished the season with a second place and the same best result of the season in its history. In the course of the club took part in the Champions League qualification and failed later in third place in the group stage. SC Braga led the season continues in the Europa League, where the team lost only in the final against FC Porto.

After 19 league operations in the 2010/11 season for the SC Braga he did not renew his expiring contract and signed with the French first division club AS Saint- Étienne a three-year contract.

After ten missions in the first round of the 2011/12 season he moved in winter 2012 for the Spanish side Real Betis.

Achievements

• Europa League: Final attendance in 2011