[3] In March 2005, he moved to Finland and after a successful trial, he signed with AC Oulu in second-tier Ykkönen.

In the 2007 season, Rafinha debuted in Finnish top-tier Veikkausliiga, after AC Oulu had won a promotion in 2006.

[5] In 2016, after five seasons, one Belgian championship title and six UEFA Champions League group stage appearances with Gent, Rafinha returned to Finland and signed with HJK.

[7] Three years later, after having helped the club to establish themselves in Veikkausliiga, he announced the ending of his professional career, at the age of 40.

[8] However, next 2023 season he played for Oulun Luistinseura (OLS), the reserve team of AC Oulu in third-tier Kakkonen, and worked as an assistant coach on a player-coach contract.