[3][4] In his first season he quickly beat competition from veteran Pedro Emanuel, partnering Bruno Alves in the centre[5] and netting three times[6][7][8] in 28 matches as the northerners won the league and the domestic cup.

[12] On 30 January 2013, completely ostracised by manager Vítor Pereira as practically all Portuguese players, he was transferred to SSC Napoli of the Serie A, being loaned until June.

[16] In February 2015, after spending the first half of the new campaign ousted from the squad due to a run-in with the board of directors after he refused to join the team's pre-season,[17][18] Rolando was loaned to R.S.C.

[20] His playtime was initially cut short, as the replacement to head coach Marcelo Bielsa, Míchel, saw little use in him, and was eventually transfer listed by Franck Passi after his first season in France.

[21] However, Rolando returned to the squad under the newly appointed Rudi Garcia,[22] becoming an integral part of the team's defense[23] and notably contributing to a 0–0 away draw to title holders Paris Saint-Germain FC.

[24] On 3 May 2018, brought from the bench for Morgan Sanson in extra time, he scored in the dying minutes of the Europa League semi-finals against FC Red Bull Salzburg for a 2–1 away loss and 3–2 aggregate win.

[25] Rolando returned to his country of adoption on 27 February 2020, with the 34-year-old free agent joining S.C. Braga – coached by his former Belenenses teammate Ruben Amorim – on a two-and-a-half-year contract.