On 21 February 2011, Maicon was loaned out for four months to the Romanian team Steaua București with an option for purchase at the end of the 2010–11 Liga I season.

Due to an impressive 2011–12 season, he attracted the interest of reigning Premier League champions Shakhtar Donetsk, joining them on a free transfer.

[14] The next morning, on 8 February around 4 o'clock in the morning while returning home on his Hyundai Elantra near the Kalinin Hospital in Donetsk on prospekt Illicha (Illich Avenue), Maicon entered the ongoing traffic side of the street when maneuvering to pass a vehicle that signalled for a turn to the nearest gas station.

While passing on the ongoing traffic lane, the footballer's vehicle made a head-on collision with a Škoda Superb, after which it hit a pole.

[15] With multiple injuries, the driver of the Škoda ended up in hospital in a critical condition, while Maicon died on the scene.

[16] Most likely, Maicon was returning from the night club "Litsa" (Russian: Лица) where he was seen with Alex Teixeira, Fred, and Douglas Costa.

Maicon was on loan to Ukrainian league club Illichivets Mariupol until the end of the season.

He joined Shakhtar Donetsk on a free transfer in 2012 from fellow Ukrainian side Volyn Lutsk and made six appearances, scoring one goal.