Valdo was born in Villablino, León, in the region of Laciana, where his parents had moved after migrating from Cape Verde to work in the coal mines.

He played in 2001–02 with Real Madrid Castilla and, also during that season, received first-team opportunities in La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Champions League, with the Merengues eventually winning the latter competition.

[2] In January 2003, Valdo moved to the league club CA Osasuna, first on loan,[3] where he developed as a top division player, scoring five goals in 35 games in his first full season.

After being dropped from the squad for several months due to his bad performances, he was brought back on 27 February 2010; he scored his first goal for the club against Barcelona on the same day, but Málaga lost 1–2 away at Camp Nou.

[8] On 13 August 2010, Valdo left Espanyol and signed with Levante UD, reuniting with his Málaga teammates Gustavo Munúa and Xavi Torres.