Born in
Maputo, Paíto began his senior career at
Sporting CP. He became a regular in the
2004–05 season after being granted
Portuguese citizenship and, on 26 January 2005, scored his only goal for the
Lions in a 3–3 draw against
S.L. Benfica in the
sixth round of the
Taça de Portugal (
penalty shootout loss), in a solo effort. After the arrival in January 2006, on loan from
Valencia CF, of
Portuguese international
Marco Caneira, Paíto was deemed surplus to requirements and left, also loaned, to
Vitória de Guimarães. He was an undisputed starter during his short tenure, as the
Minho team eventually
dropped down a level. Purchased by
La Liga club
RCD Mallorca, Paíto immediately returned to Portugal, being loaned to
S.C. Braga for the duration of
the campaign. Released by the
Balearic Islands side without making any official appearances, he joined
FC Sion on a three-year contract. After three solid seasons in the
Swiss Super League, Paíto stayed in Switzerland, signing with fellow league team
Neuchâtel Xamax FCS. After the latter went bankrupt, in January 2012 he joined
FC Vaslui from Romania, reuniting with former Sporting coach
Augusto Inácio. Paíto spent the first half of the following campaign without a club, signing in early January 2013 with
Skoda Xanthi FC. He made his
Super League Greece debut on the 27th, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–0 away win over
PAOK FC. ==International career==