Júnior Brandão

José Brandão Gonçalves Júnior (born 7 January 1995), known as Júnior Brandão, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Liga 1 club Bhayangkara.

Early career
Born in Ibiúna, São Paulo, Brandão finished his formation with Taboão da Serra. In May 2015, after representing CATS in the 2015 Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior, he joined Juventus de Seara in the Campeonato Catarinense Série B.

Brandão made his senior debut on 28 June 2015, playing the last 19 minutes in a 1–1 home draw against Atlético Tubarão. He scored his first goals seven days later, netting a brace in a 9–0 home routing of Blumenau. On 29 July, he scored a hat-trick in a 3–2 home win against Operário de Mafra.

On 23 September 2015, Brandão signed for Série D side Ypiranga-RS, and featured rarely as his side achieved promotion to Série C.

Júnior Brandão played for Boa Esporte and Ferroviária during the 2016 campaign, both featuring sparingly. On 8 December of that year he agreed to a contract with Novo Hamburgo for the ensuing Campeonato Gaúcho, and contributed with one goal in only two matches as his side lifted the trophy.

On 11 August 2017, Brandão moved to Primavera, but his side was knocked out of the Campeonato Paulista Segunda Divisão just two matches after his arrival. In December, he signed for Iporá.

Atlético Goianiense
On 5 April 2018, Brandão was presented at Atlético Goianiense in Série B. He made his debut for the club on 14 April, coming on as a substitute in a 3–2 home win against Criciúma.

Brandão scored his first goals for Dragão on 25 May 2018, netting a brace in a 2–2 home draw against Oeste. On 11 June, he extended his contract until the end of 2020.

Ludogorets Razgrad
On 22 August 2018, Brandão was transferred to PFC Ludogorets Razgrad.

Loan to Goiás
On 3 January 2019 he returned in Brazil joining Série A team Goiás on loan until end of the year.

Loan to Persepolis
On 19 August 2019, Júnior Brandão signed a one-year loan contract with Persian Gulf Pro League champions Persepolis. On 28 November 2019, his contract with Persepolis was terminated due to poor performance.

Loan to Atlético Goianiense
On 21 February 2020, Brandão returned to Brazilian club Atlético Goianiense on a loan deal until the end of the season.

Loan to Rio Ave
On February 1 2021, Brandão moved to Primeira Liga side Rio Ave, on a loan deal for the remainder of the season.

Honours
Club
 * Campeonato Gaúcho: 2017

Individual
 * Liga 1 Player of the Month: December 2023