Jefferson Baiano

1.1. Birth and childhood

Jefferson Baiano was born on May 10, 1995, in Salvador, Brazil. His full birth name is Jefferson Silva dos Santos. He is a Brazilian national.

1.2. Youth and early professional career

Baiano began his professional career in Brazil. He played for Galícia EC from 2014 to 2015, making three appearances. He then moved to EC Jacuipense from 2015 to 2016. In 2016, he joined AAD Vitória das Tabocas, where he played in 14 matches and scored five goals. From 2016 to 2020, he was officially registered with SC Santa Rita. During this period, he had several loan spells at various Brazilian clubs, including ASA (twice, in 2016 and from 2016 to 2017), CA Bragantino (2016), and Hercílio Luz FC (2017). For ASA, he made five appearances and scored one goal in 2016, and later 12 appearances and two goals in 2016-2017. At CA Bragantino, he played two matches without scoring. These early experiences in Brazilian football laid the groundwork for his subsequent international career.

2.1. Club career by year

After his early career in Brazil, Jefferson Baiano embarked on an international journey. On February 7, 2018, he moved to Japan, joining J2 League club Mito HollyHock on loan from SC Santa Rita. During his season with Mito HollyHock, he emerged as the team's top scorer with 11 goals in 34 league appearances and an additional goal in the Emperor's Cup, bringing his total to 12 goals in 35 matches. He left Mito HollyHock at the end of the 2018 season, with his loan period concluding on November 29, 2018.

On December 24, 2018, Baiano was loaned again to another J2 League club, Montedio Yamagata, for the 2019 season. He played 34 league matches for Montedio Yamagata, scoring seven goals, and also made one appearance in the Emperor's Cup. He departed from the club after one season.

In January 2020, Baiano moved to Saudi Arabia, joining Al-Mujazzal Club on a loan spell. However, this contract was terminated after only two months, during which he made one appearance. On March 13, 2020, he transferred to South Korea, signing a loan deal with K League 2 club Bucheon FC 1995. His registration name in the K League was 바이아노_Baiano^Korean. He made 11 appearances for Bucheon FC 1995, scoring one goal before his loan concluded in December 2020.

In 2021, Baiano played for Al Hala SC in Bahrain. In early 2022, he began playing for Hoàng Anh Gia Lai in Vietnam, where he made an impression during the Quang Trung Cup. Later in 2022, he returned to Brazil with CE Arraial do Cabo.

On December 25, 2022, Jefferson Baiano made a full return to Japan, signing a permanent transfer deal with J2 League club Zweigen Kanazawa from CE Arraial do Cabo for the upcoming 2023 season. He had previously played for two different J2 League teams, Mito HollyHock and Montedio Yamagata, in 2018 and 2019 respectively. During the 2023 season with Zweigen Kanazawa, he made 12 league appearances. On December 12, 2024, Zweigen Kanazawa announced the expiration of his contract with the club. In 2024, he made two appearances in the J3 League as Zweigen Kanazawa competed in the third tier.

2.2. Playing style and characteristics

Jefferson Baiano primarily plays as a forward. Standing at 74 in ^{(188 cm)} tall and weighing 185 lb ^{(84 kg)}, he possesses a physical presence on the field. He is known for his ability to play with both feet, contributing to his versatility in attacking positions. His previous coaches and commentators have noted his "powerful shot" and strong offensive capabilities, making him a significant threat in front of goal.

3.1. Club statistics

4.1. Achievements and impact

One of Jefferson Baiano's most significant impacts came during his loan spell at Mito HollyHock in the 2018 J2 League season, where he was the team's top goal scorer with 11 goals. This performance highlighted his effectiveness as a forward and his ability to find the back of the net in a competitive league. He also made a notable impression at the Quang Trung Cup in 2022 while playing for Hoàng Anh Gia Lai. His persistent presence in various Asian leagues, including the J2 League and K League 2, demonstrates his enduring professional adaptability and value as an experienced forward.

4.2. Contractual issues and transfers

Throughout his career, Jefferson Baiano has experienced numerous loan agreements and transfers. His initial moves to Japanese clubs, Mito HollyHock and Montedio Yamagata, were loan spells from SC Santa Rita. His brief stint at Al-Mujazzal Club in Saudi Arabia was also a loan, which was quickly terminated. Similarly, his move to Bucheon FC 1995 in South Korea was a loan transfer. These frequent loan spells indicate his original club's strategy to provide him playing time and exposure. His permanent transfer to Zweigen Kanazawa in 2022 marked a more stable move back to Japan. However, his contract with Zweigen Kanazawa concluded on December 12, 2024, leading to his departure from the club. These contractual movements are a common feature of a professional footballer's career, reflecting opportunities and club strategies.