Fluminense in 2007 Born in
Duas Barras, Arouca made his professional debuts with
Fluminense in
2004 Brasileirão, appearing 10 times. In the following year he appeared regularly with the side, and scored his first professional goal on 25 September 2005, netting his side's first of a 4–3 home success over Santos. In 2007 Arouca played regularly during the
Copa do Brasil winning campaign, and also appeared in 30 matches in
the league with
Flu finishing fourth. In the following year he was again starter, also being runner-up of
that year's
Copa Libertadores. In September 2008 he completed 200 matches for Fluminense, finishing the season with 54 appearances overall.
São Paulo On 23 December 2008, Arouca agreed a five-year deal with
São Paulo. He made his debut for
Tricolor on 21 January 2009, coming on as a second-half
substitute in a 1–1 home draw against
Ituano. However, Arouca served only as a backup to
Hernanes and
Richarlyson in his only season, and only started in 25 of the 40 matches played in 2009.
Santos On 19 January 2010, Arouca joined
Santos in an on-year loan deal, with
Rodrigo Souto moving in the opposite direction. He made his debut for the club late in the month, playing the last 28 minutes in a 2–0 home win over
Oeste. As a starter, Arouca was a key defensive unit in that year's Copa do Brasil and Paulista winning campaigns. On 23 July 2010, Santos bought him outright, signing a four-year deal for a
€3.5 million fee. In the following year Arouca was again ever-present, scoring his first goal for
Peixe on 15 May 2011, netting the first of a 2–1 home success over
Corinthians, in
2011 Campeonato Paulista final. He was also starter during the
Copa Libertadores and
FIFA Club World Cup, which Santos finished champions and runner-up, respectively; Arouca also assisted
Neymar in the first goal of the Libertadores' final. Arouca was again an ever-present figure during 2012, winning his third consecutive
Paulistão, also scoring his second goal for Santos on 29 February, against
Guarani. On 23 August 2013, he renewed his link with
Peixe, running until the end of 2016. In March 2014, Arouca was racially abused by the crowd in a state championship game against
Mogi Mirim. The abuse was condemned by the nation's president
Dilma Rousseff, who invited Arouca to meet her at the
Palácio do Planalto along with two others who had suffered similarly,
Cruzeiro player
Tinga and
gaúcho referee Márcio Chagas. On 9 January 2015, Arouca took a legal action against Santos due to unpaid wages, despite previously stating that he would not make such action; on the 29th, after lengthy negotiations, he rescinded his link with the club and removed his legal action, with Santos also retaining 40% of his rights.
Palmeiras One day after rescinding with Santos, Arouca signed a four-year deal with
Palmeiras. ==International career==