Born in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Diego represented Botafogo as a youth.
He made his senior debut on 30 April 2015, starting in a 2–1 Copa do Brasil away win against Capivariano; he also provided the assist for Sassá's goal.
[1] On 21 December 2015, after contributing with seven Série B matches, Diego renewed his contract until the end of 2018.
[2] He made his Série A debut the following 2 June, starting in a 1–0 home loss against Cruzeiro.
[4] In November, he moved to Atlético Paranaense on loan from Tombense,[5] being initially assigned to the under-23 squad.