After personal problems at Marseille, he went on to sign for Montpellier, where he went on to spend the next ten seasons, becoming a fan favourite and helping the team win their first and to date only league title, in 2012.

Born in Brasília, Brazil, Hilton started his professional career in 1996 at Chapecoense and stayed there for three years before moving to Paraná Clube.

In January transfer window 2004, Hilton joined Ligue 1 side Bastia on six-month loan, which lasted until the end of the season.

[citation needed] After a loan spell at Bastia, Hilton joined Lens on a five-year contract.

[6] Despite the injury, he scored twice in the season: against Valenciennes on 23 January 2008, and against Derby du Nord rival Lille, in a 2–1 win on 11 March 2008.

The 2007–08 was unachievable for the club as they faced Paris-Saint Germain in the Coupe de la Ligue Final, but lost 2–1.

[citation needed] Following Lens' relegation, Hilton joined Marseille for €5 million, signing a four-year contract.

[citation needed] Despite this, Hilton scored twice in the season: One was in the Champions League Group-Stage against Zurich, with a 6–1 win on 3 November 2009[9] and another came on 8 May 2010, in a 3–2 loss against Lille.

[10] After leaving Marseille for good, Hilton signed a one-year contract with Montpellier despite interests from Ligue 1's rival Evian.

[13] At the end of the 2011–12 season, Hilton was named Trophées UNFP du football's Team of the Year of 2012.

[17] On 15 September 2020, just two days after his 43rd birthday, he become the first player since Roger Courtois in 1956 to play a match in Ligue 1 at the age of 43 when he featured in Montpelier's 2-1 victory over Lyon.

[23] In August 2011, Sports Illustrated reported that Hilton was among eight players to be victimised of robbery at their home in the last 18 months.

Hilton told RMC Radio that robbery left his family so traumatised that they wanted to move back to Brazil.

Hilton was also assaulted when six men entered his house just before midnight, struck him on the head with a rifle-butt, and stole his possessions, including Renault car, which was found burned an hour away.

[24] In an interview with Goal.com, Hilton also revealed that the robbery convinced him to leave Marseille after the city left him and his family "psychologically scarred".