João Paulo da Silva Araújo (born 2 June 1988), commonly known as João Paulo, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Kairat. He received Kazakhstani citizenship in 2022.[1]

Quick Facts Personal information, Full name ...
João Paulo
Personal information
Full name João Paulo da Silva Araújo
Date of birth (1988-06-02) 2 June 1988 (age 36)
Place of birth Natal, Brazil
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s) Winger, Forward
Team information
Current team
Kairat
Number 11
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2008 ABC
2008 Barras-PI
2008–2009 Botafogo-PB
2009–2011 ABC 34 (7)
2011Gwangju FC (loan) 15 (6)
2011–2013 Gwangju FC 52 (10)
2013Daejeon Citizen (loan) 35 (6)
2014–2015 Incheon United 5 (0)
2014–2015ABC (loan) 20 (4)
2015 Botafogo-PB 17 (5)
2016 Ferroviária 0 (0)
2016 Botev Plovdiv 19 (12)
2017 Ludogorets Razgrad II 4 (3)
2017–2020 Ludogorets Razgrad 31 (2)
2018Botev Plovdiv (loan) 11 (9)
2019Ordabasy (loan) 31 (15)
2020–2021 Ordabasy 34 (20)
2021– Kairat 69 (33)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12 July 2024
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Career

South Korea

On 20 February 2011, João Paulo joined South Korean K-League side Gwangju FC on loan from ABC,[2] but signed a permanent deal five months later in July.

Following Daejeon Citizen's relegation to the K League Challenge, he joined Incheon United in January 2014.

Botev Plovdiv

On 16 June 2016, João Paulo joined Bulgarian club Botev Plovdiv, and was presented to the public alongside two fellow new Brazilian signings.[3] On 29 June, he scored his unofficial first goal for the club, in a 5–0 thrashing over FC Oborishte in a pre-season friendly.[4]

On 15 August 2016, João Paulo scored a goal for the 3–2 win over Slavia Sofia.[5] On 27 August, he also scored the winning goal in a 2–1 home victory over Neftochimic Burgas.[6]

João Paulo scored a hat-trick for the 4–0 win over FC Lokomotiv Gorna Oryahovitsa on 17 September.[7] Four days later, on 21 September, he scored twice for the 6–3 away win over FC Pirin Gotse Delchev for the Bulgarian Cup.[8] At the end of the same week he scored another goal for the 2–1 away win over Dunav Ruse.[9]

On 16 October João Paulo continued his goalscoring streak during a 4–3 away win over Beroe Stara Zagora in the regional Thracian Derby.[10][11][12] He scored a goal during the 3–0 win over PFC Neftochimic Burgas on 27 October.[13] Three days later, during the 1–1 draw with Levski Sofia he scored a goal in the 13th second following an assist from Todor Nedelev.[14] João Paulo scored again on 3 November during the 3–1 away defeat to PFC Montana.[15]

Ludogorets Razgrad

On 6 January 2017, after several weeks of negotiations, Paulo joined Bulgarian champions Ludogorets Razgrad at a reported transfer fee of €150,000.[16]

Return to Botev Plovdiv

On 27 February 2018, João Paulo returned to Botev Plovdiv on a loan until the end of the season.[17] On 12 March, on day when Botev Plovdiv celebrated 106 years from its foundation, João Paulo scored a goal in a 4–2 away win over FC Vereya.[18] On 21 April João Paulo scored a goal during the 2–2 draw with FC Vereya.[19] On 29 April João Paulo scored a goal for the 2–1 home win over CSKA Sofia.[20] A week later, on 5 May, he scored again but this time Botev Plovdiv was dramatically defeated with 3–2 by Levski Sofia.[21] On 11 May, João Paulo scored twice for the 2–1 win over Beroe Stara Zagora and received the award for man of the match.[22][23]

Kairat

On 6 July 2021, Kairat announced the signing of João Paulo from Ordabasy, on a 18-month contract.[24]

Career statistics

As of match played 29 July 2023[25]
More information Club, Season ...
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League State League National Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Gwangju (loan) 2011 K League 1 1560030186
Gwangju 2011 K League 1 12300123
2012 40800408
2013 000000
Total 5210--00------5210
Daejeon Citizen (loan) 2013 K League Classic 35600356
Incheon United 2014 K League Classic 500050
2015 000000
Total 50--00------50
ABC (loan) 2014 Série B 2040061123
2015 006210408
Total 2046271------337
Botafogo da Paraíba 2015 Série C 175300178
Ferroviária 2016 006040100
Botev Plovdiv 2016–17 Bulgarian First League 1912232115
Ludogorets Razgrad 2016–17 Bulgarian First League 61232[a]0-104
2017–18 141205[b]01[c]0221
2018–19 110115[d]01[c]0181
Total 312--54--12020506
Botev Plovdiv (loan) 2017–18 Bulgarian First League 119211310
Ordabasy (loan) 2019 Kazakhstan Premier League 3115204[e]03715
Ordabasy 2020 Kazakhstan Premier League 2012001[e]0-2112
2021 14800--148
Total 3420--00--10--3520
Kairat 2021 Kazakhstan Premier League 51504[f]00[g]0141
2022 2611422[h]01[g]03314
2023 1714201914
Total 4826--112--60106629
Career total 31811612533113023030414133
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  1. Zero appearances in the UEFA Champions League and two appearances in the UEFA Europa League
  2. Two appearances in the UEFA Champions League and three appearances in the UEFA Europa League
  3. Appearance in the Bulgarian Supercup
  4. Two appearances in the UEFA Champions League and three appearances in the UEFA Europa League
  5. Appearances in the UEFA Europa League
  6. One appearance in the UEFA Champions League, zero appearances in the UEFA Europa League, three appearances in the UEFA Europa Conference League
  7. Appearances in the Kazakhstan Super Cup

Honours

Individual

References

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