Despite the best efforts of Walsall manager Colin Lee to sign him permanently, Júnior moved on to Derby County in August 2003; in his final game at the Bescot Stadium, he had demonstrated his skills perfectly by scoring a hat-trick against the Rams.

He moved to Rotherham United (on loan) and to Watford, who sold him due to a problem with legal paperwork and his apparent lack of correct personal permits.

He spent much of his time there on the bench because of the stiff competition from Morten Nordstrand and fellow Brazilians Aílton Almeida and César Santin.

It was then supposed that Júnior should sign with Randers, whom he was previously loaned to, but his contract was cancelled as he had not attended the latest training sessions.

[1] In June 2011, Júnior mutually agreed with Ceará to terminate his contract, foregoing the payment due, and signed for Bahia,[2] where he remained until the end of the 2012 season.