During his short stay with Atlético Goianiense, Jéferson helped the club gain promotion by winning the Campeonato Goiano da Segunda Divisão.
Jéferson's role as a playmaker for Santo André caught the attention of more notable Brazilian clubs, in particular, Vasco da Gama, who signed him a year later in 2009.
Early on, he struggled to find his place in the squad, due to the bevy of high caliber midfielders at Vasco da Gama.
While with Vasco Jéferson enjoyed his best run of form during the Campeonato Carioca, where he made 32 appearances and scored 5 goals.
After struggling to win a starting role, he was subsequently loaned to Avaí, a Brazilian club based in Florianópolis, in 2010.