[2] Born in Goiânia, Goiás, Jefferson finished his youth career with Associação Atlética Ponte Preta.
[5] During his spell in Portugal, Jefferson was scouted by the director of football of HNK Hajduk Split, Goran Vučević.
[8][9] On 23 July 2015, Jefferson scored from longe-range in a 4–1 home win over FC Koper in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League.
[10][11] He was the most utilised player for the team during the season, and arguably and the best in his position since Josip Radošević, being praised for his tackling skills but also criticised for his passing.
On 10 April 2016, in a home game against NK Istra 1961, he was made captain in the last minutes, thus becoming the first Brazilian in Hajduk history to sport the armband.