Cesar Fernando Silva dos Santos (born 29 November 1989), commonly known as Cesinha, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays for Daegu FC as a forward.
Career Early years in Brazil Born in São José do Rio Preto, Brazil, Cesinha graduated with Corinthians youth system, but made his senior debuts while on loan at Osvaldo Cruz. After appearing for União Barbarense and Pão de Açúcar, he returned to the former on 7 December 2011. On 16 May 2012, Cesinha signed for Bragantino. After appearing sparingly, he returned to Barbarense in January of the following year, in a six-month loan deal. Cesinha returned to Braga in June 2013, appearing regularly afterwards. On 3 October of the following year he was loaned to Atlético Mineiro, until May 2015. Cesinha made his Série A debut on 9 October, replacing Luan in a 0–0 away draw against Fluminense. On 6 May 2015 he moved to fellow league team Ponte Preta, until December.
South Korea In 2016, Cesinha joined South Korean club Daegu FC on loan. Scoring 11 goals, he helped secure the club's promotion that year from K League 2 to the top tier of football in South Korea, K League 1. His loan was made permanent the following year. By June 2020, he had lived in South Korea for five years, one of the criteria to become a citizen of the country. Media reported that Cesinha was keen to become a South Korean citizen and represent the country in international football.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueState LeagueCupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsCorinthians2010Série A——00——00Osvaldo Cruz (loan)Paulista A2—86———86União BarbarensePaulista A2—184———184Pão de Açúcar2011Paulista A2—00———00União BarbarensePaulista A2—229———229Bragantino2012Série B111————1112013Série B142————1422014Série B18212152——355Total43512152——608União Barbarense (loan)2013Paulista—155———155Atlético Mineiro (loan)2014Série A60—00——602015Série A—50—10—60Total60500010—120Ponte Preta (loan)2015Série A170—3420—224Daegu FC (loan)2016K League 23611—23——3814Daegu FC2017K League 1277—00——2772018K League 1258—65——31132019K League 13515—1051—41162020K League 12518—21——27192021K League 1329—5265—43162022K League 12912—3021—34132023K League 1238—10——2482024K League 13011—00—2232132025K League 12512—11——26132026K League 272—00——72Daegu total294113—231213722332134Career total3331188025301416722471166
Honours Atlético Mineiro Campeonato Mineiro: 2015 Copa do Brasil: 2014
Daegu FC Korean FA Cup: 2018
Individual K League 2 Best XI: 2016 K League 1 top assist provider: 2018, 2025 Korean FA Cup Most Valuable Player: 2018 Korean FA Cup top goalscorer: 2018 K League All-Star: 2019, 2023, 2024 K League All-Star Game Most Valuable Player: 2019 K League 1 Best XI: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
References
External links Atlético Mineiro official profile