Early years and Porto Born in
Curitiba,
Paraná, Kelvin spent two seasons with local
Paraná Clube in the
Série B. In late June 2011, aged only 18, he signed with
FC Porto in Portugal. Together with teammate
Christian Atsu, Kelvin was sent on loan to fellow
Primeira Liga club
Rio Ave F.C. for the
2011–12 campaign. He made his debut in the competition on 21 August 2011, in a 1–0 away loss to
Académica de Coimbra. Kelvin returned to Porto for
2012–13, spending most of
the season with
the reserves in the
Segunda Liga. He managed to score, however, three important goals for the first team as a
substitute, helping to home wins against
S.C. Braga (3–1) and
S.L. Benfica (2–1), the latter coming in the
92nd minute.
Loans On 13 January 2015, Kelvin joined
SE Palmeiras on a loan deal. He played five games as they
won the
Copa do Brasil that year, and scored in a 5–1 home victory (6–2 aggregate) in the second leg of the second round against
Sampaio Corrêa Futebol Clube on 12 May. Kelvin moved to
São Paulo FC, also on loan, on 2 February 2016. On 6 April, he recorded the first continental goal of his career, in a 6–0 home thrashing of Venezuela's
Trujillanos F.C. in
the group stage of the
Copa Libertadores. He scored once in
the national league on 11 September, opening a 3–1 defeat of
Figueirense FC. On 3 February 2017, Kelvin was loaned to
CR Vasco da Gama. Limited by injury in his
first year in
Rio de Janeiro, he nonetheless had his link extended the following January; he scored once on 5 May 2018 to conclude a 4–1 win over
América Futebol Clube after coming on as a substitute.
Later career In late April 2019,
free agent Kelvin signed with
Fluminense FC until the end of
the season. He left three months later having played for only two minutes, agreeing to a contract at
Coritiba Foot Ball Club. In nine games for his hometown team in the second tier he scored once, to open a 2–0 victory at
Grêmio Esportivo Brasil on 12 November; this was his first strike in 18 months. On 5 February 2020, having
won promotion with Coritiba, Kelvin joined
Avaí FC on a one-year deal. He was released on 21 May, having made four goalless appearances, so that the club could add
Renato to their payroll. In August, he began training with the club again, who had retained his registration. Kelvin returned to the top flight on 6 October 2020, with strugglers
Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas; he signed to the end of
the season, with the option of two more. The following 5 March, following their relegation, he joined
Vila Nova Futebol Clube also in division two. In June 2022, Kelvin was unveiled as
FC Ryukyu's new signing. During his time at the club, he was partially paid in
cryptocurrency; he was also relegated to
J3 League in his
debut campaign. Kelvin went back to Brazil on 19 January 2024, on a one-year contract at
Clube do Remo in the
Série C. ==Career statistics==