Born in
Arapiraca,
Alagoas, Edinho played for modest clubs in his homeland. In 1990, he moved to Portugal where he spent four seasons competing in both the
second and
third divisions, with
S.C. Olhanense and
Portimonense SC. From 1994 to January 1997, Edinho played in the
Primeira Liga, scoring 29 goals combined for
G.D. Chaves and
Vitória de Guimarães. On 6 February he signed with English
Football League First Division side
Bradford City, netting ten times in 41 games in
his first full season with the Bantams. On 13 November 1998, Edinho moved to
Dunfermline Athletic on loan. He made his debut for the club, starting a match and played 72 minutes before being substituted, in a 2-1 win against
Dundee United. In a follow-up match, Edinho scored his only goal for Dunfermline Athletic, in a 2-1 loss against
Hearts. However, he struggled to adapt in Scottish football and found his playing time reduced during his short spell. After leaving Bradford, he returned to Portugal and continued to play in the country until his retirement one decade later (at the age of 42), only two of his ten seasons being spent in the second tier, with
C.F. União de Lamas and Olhanense – in 2007–08, he even helped historic
Algarve team
S.C. Farense promote from the regional championships; in the two
major levels combined, he amassed totals of 188 matches and 59 goals. ==Coaching career==