Val Baiano

Osvaldo Félix Souza (born 7 April 1981 in Jequié), known as Val Baiano, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Penapolense.

Career
After playing for Iraty, Grêmio Maringá and Paranavaí, Val Baiano had his first chance in a bigger club when he signed for Santos in 2003. Mainly a reserve for the team, he left the club the following year and started a journeyman career having spells with many Campeonato Brasileiro Série B clubs such as Brasiliense, Ceará, Santa Cruz and São Caetano, also playing at 2004–05 Primeira Liga for Gil Vicente.

Playing for Gama, Val Baiano was the second top goalscorer from 2007 Campeonato Brasileiro Série B with 23 goals, only behind Alessandro who scored 25 times. His good form earned him a transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli.

In 2008, he returned to Brazil to play for Grêmio Barueri, achieving promotion to 2009 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. Losing his place in the first team by injuries, he returned to the starting eleven when Pedrão was sold. Even though he was the club's league top goalscorer, he was dropped from the team in October after he claimed that Cruzeiro offered extra money for Grêmio Barueri to beat São Paulo. He still remained one of the competition's top scorers with 18 goals, one less than Diego Tardelli and Adriano.

In early 2010, Val Baiano was released from his contract and signed for Monterrey, also playing at 2010 Copa Libertadores for the Mexican club. After only six months at the club, he joined Flamengo., playing 18 times for Flamengo at 2010 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A but only scoring 3 times. Losing his place at the first-team and not being selected by manager Vanderlei Luxemburgo, he was released from the club in February 2011.

Val Baiano later returned to Grêmio Barueri in 2011. He joined Oeste in 2012, but was released after playing only 45 minutes in 2012 Campeonato Paulista due to injuries and being overweight.

Career statistics

 * (Correct )

''according to combined sources on the Flamengo official website and Flaestatística. ''

Honours

 * Brasiliense
 * Brazilian Série B: 2004