Paulinho (footballer, born January 1997)

Paulo Lucas Santos de Paula (born 8 January 1997), better known as Paulinho, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Vasco da Gama.

Professional career
Paulinho made his debut with Sporting B in a 4-0 LigaPro win over Santa Clara on 30 September 2017. On 19 July 2019, Paulinho signed a professional contract with Boavista.

On 28 July 2021, Paulinho joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Shabab on a four-year deal, for a reported fee of €1 million. On 30 July 2022, Paulinho joined Al-Fayha on a season-long loan.

On 26 July 2023, Brazilian side Vasco da Gama announced the signing of Paulinho on a contract until December 2025, for a reported fee of €1.2 million.

In April 2024, Paulinho was caught by Operation Lei Seca drones trying to deceive agents and escape a blitz mounted in Barra da Tijuca, the capital of Rio de Janeiro state. Paulinho was fined twice on the same day for trying to use the services of a professional driver hired locally to cross the checkpoint. In the images recorded by the agents, Paulinho appears being approached. Without a driver's license, he is informed that to leave the location with the vehicle, another qualified person would have to drive the car.