Early career Born in
Asunción, Da Silva started his career in the youth divisions of
Atlántida Sport Club, arriving at the club at the age of 13. In 1996, da Silva reached the
Primera División Paraguaya with Asunción team Presidente Hayes at the age of 16. and in 2008 he led Toluca to the
Apertura 2008 title, being chosen as the best overall player of the tournament by the Mexican media.
Sunderland On 13 July 2009, Da Silva joined English club
Sunderland on a three-year deal. Manager
Steve Bruce said "I'm delighted to have signed a player of Paulo's experience. He is captain of his country and has played at the highest level in South America, so will bring leadership qualities to our side." His arrival at the
Stadium of Light was followed by a long and confusing period in regards to his visa application. Da Silva was granted a work permit to play in England almost immediately, but had to wait for over a month to get his visa before it was eventually granted on 12 August. He made his debut on 24 August against
Norwich City in the
League Cup second round, playing the whole 90 minutes of a 4–1 away win. On 12 September he made his first
Premier League appearance, replacing
Steed Malbranque for the final ten minutes of a 4–1 home win over
Hull City. Da Silva was rotated throughout his first season at the club, but performed consistently when required. Manager
Steve Bruce cited 'settlement' as the reason behind playing Da Silva in phases, stating he needed time to adjust to the English game and lifestyle. He was joined at the club by his international teammate
Cristian Riveros in May 2010. Da Silva's second season at Sunderland saw him make just three appearances, only one as a starter. They finished the season in 13th.
Toluca Da Silva re-joined
Toluca on 31 May 2013 in a two-year loan deal from Pachuca. On 11 May 2015, Toluca announced they had signed da Silva permanently. In December 2015, da Silva received a Mexican naturalization to disoccupy a foreign place in Toluca's team.
Return to Paraguay On 26 June 2017, Da Silva returned to Paraguay to play for
Club Libertad. In March 2020, da Silva stated that he wanted to retire at Atlántida Asunción. In December 2021, the 41-year-old da Silva announced that the 2022 season would be his last. However, in 2023 he returned to playing for
Independiente CG of
2023 Paraguayan División Intermedia first and later for
12 de Junio of
2023 Paraguayan Primera B Nacional. At the end of the season, da Silva was linked to becoming assistant manager next to Uruguayan
Sergio Órteman and was announced as such for
Sol de América, next to
Humberto Ovelar, but, in 2024, he again returned to playing for
Atlántida Sport Club in
2024 Primera División B, the club he commenced his career, where the 44-year-old da Silva announced it will be his last season playing. On 20 October 2024, after the final match of the season, Da Silva retired from playing. == International career ==