Guarani
Davó joined Guarani and their under-20 team in March 2018, from Portuguesa.[1] On 17 January 2019, after impressing in the year's Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior by scoring six goals in eight games (including four goals in a 5–0 win against Internacional), he renewed his contract with the club for three years.[5]
Davó made his professional debut for Bugre on 28 May 2019, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 2–1 Série B home loss against Brasil de Pelotas.[6] He scored his first goal on 29 July 2019, netting the equalizer in a 1–1 away draw against Sport Recife,[7] and finished the season scoring three goals in 30 matches.
Corinthians
With teams such as Santos and Cruzeiro also having interest in Davó,[8] Corinthians acquired 60% of Davó's economic rights for R$ 2.5 million,[9] and signed him to a four-year contract through 2023.[3] He was presented by his new club on 12 January 2020.[10]
Davó made his first appearance as a substitute on 16 January 2020 in a 2–1 win over New York City FC.[11] He made his first competitive appearance ten days later, replacing Janderson in a 1–1 Campeonato Paulista tie with Mirassol.
Davó made his Série A debut on 31 October 2020, starting and netting his team's winner in a 1–0 home success over Internacional.[12] He featured in three more league matches during the campaign, also scoring in a 2–1 loss to Atlético Mineiro, but later lost space under head coach Vagner Mancini.[13]
Transfer controversy
During 2020, Davó's transfer to Corinthians was reviewed twice in the Brazilian courts. Prior to his transfer to Corinthians, Davó's economic rights were held by Guarani and his player agency, Elenko Sports Management after rights were formerly held by his former agency, Gold Sports. In order to get out of his contract with Guarani for its economic rights, he had to make a R$700,000 termination payment[14][15] that was deposited with a 3rd party that was at odds with FIFA's position on 3rd party transactions. In a July 2020 decision, the 9th Civil Court of Campinas ruled that Davó's transfer was ruled as fraud that could have made the transfer ineffective.[16]
In a November 2020 decision, the 5th Civil Court of Campinas overturned the previous decision and the transfer remained in effect with Davó's economic rights being held by Corinthians 60%, Guarani 20% and Davó 20%.[17]
Return to Guarani (loan)
After declining the option of training with Corinthians' under-23 team for remainder of the 2021 season, Davó returned to Guarani on loan until the end of the year.[18] His transfer situation addressed in the courts in 2020 caused additional delays in getting him registered to be able to play in 2021; however, the 7th Civil Court of Campinas allowed him to be registered for the 2021 season.[14][19]
Davó scored once in eight matches in the 2021 Paulistão, and scored twice in 14 Série B matches before announcing his early departure in July 2021.[20]
São Bernardo (loan)
On 21 January 2022, Corinthians loaned Davó to São Bernardo for the 2022 Campeonato Paulista.[25] He was a regular starter for Bernô during the competition, scoring twice in 12 appearances.
Bahia (loan)
On 7 April 2022, Davó was announced at Bahia in the second division, on loan until the end of the year.[26] He scored nine goals during the 2022 Série B, including braces against Ponte Preta (2–1 win), Criciúma (2–1 win) and Ituano (2–0 win) as his side achieved promotion to the top tier.[27]