São Paulo
Early career
Welington played 26 matches for São Paulo under-15s, 37 matches in the under-17s and 107 matches in the under-20s. He won several trophies such as the 2018 Copa do Brasil U20 and the 2019 Copinha. [3] In the latter, he was part of the squad who shaved his head in honour of a fan of the club who had brain cancer. [4]
He was named in the professional team for the first time in December 2019 for the last match of the Brazilian Championship against CSA. [5] São Paulo won 2–1, but Welington did not make his debut. [6]
2020
Turning professional in 2020, he made his debut on 8 March 2020, in a 1–0 defeat to Botafogo de Ribeirão Preto in the Campeonato Paulista. [7] He came on in the second half in place of Everton and suffered a fall in a head collision, but he remained on the field until the end of the match and was later taken to hospital. [8]
2021
On 14 April, he scored his first goal as a professional in a 3–2 victory over Guarani in the Campeonato Paulista. [9] He was part of the Paulista winning squad on 23 May which won 2–0 against Palmeiras but was an unused substitute. [10] On 3 June, Welington renewed his contract until 31 December 2024. [11]
2022
On 27 March, he scored the first goal in a 2–1 victory over Corinthians in the semi-finals of the Campeonato Paulista, helping São Paulo reach their second consecutive final. [12] On 3 April, Welington was a starter in the final, but ended up being beaten 4–0 by Palmeiras. [13]
2023
Previously wearing the number 34 shirt, he started using the number six shirt after Reinaldo's departure. [14] After an injury suffered against Botafogo-SP in the Campeonato Paulista, he was injured again more seriously on 13 March in a match against Água Santa, [15] where he underwent ligament surgery on his left ankle. [16] After four months, he returned to training on the field for the first time in June. [17] On 19 August, Welington played his hundredth match for the club in the goalless draw with Botafogo. [18] [19]
2024
On 4 February, he was part of the winning squad for the Supercopa Rei final against Palmeiras which ended 4–2 on penalties, after a goalless draw in normal time. [20]
