Claiton (footballer, born 1984)

Claiton Machado dos Santos (born 7 September 1984) is a Brazilian-Italian footballer who plays for Italian club Crotone in Serie A as a defender.

Career

Bologna, Milan and loans

Claiton started his professional football career at Bologna and played once in Serie A, on 17 June 2001. Bologna lost to Internazionale 1−2. In January 2002, he was signed by A.C. Milan and played for their Primavera team. He also featured as an unused bench for Milan in Serie A on 24 May 2003, the 3rd last match of the season and the match before the 2003 UEFA Champions League Final and 2003 Coppa Italia Final. Milan used 4 Primavera Team player as starter and another 7 players at bench. In 2003-04 season, he remain the member of U20 youth team.

In summer 2004, he left for Prato on loan, but in January 2005 returned to Milan. In 2005-06 season, he was loaned out again this time to Lecco.

Varese

In the summer of 2006, he joined Serie C2 side Varese in a co-ownership deal for €500. He was not the absolute starter of the team, but also played 28 league matches at the champions winning 2008-09 season. In 2009–10 season, he played 20 league matches as starter in 25 league appearance. Varese promotion to Serie B in 2010.

Bari

On 8 July 2011, Claiton was signed by Serie B club Bari on a free transfer and put pen to paper on a three-year deal. However, due to the financial crisis of Bari, he left the club in summer 2013.

Chievo

On 14 August 2013, Claiton was signed by Serie A club Chievo. Bari also signed half of the registration rights of Marco Calderoni for €90,000 on the same day.

Crotone

On 29 July 2014, Claiton was signed by Serie B club Crotone on a free transfer. At the end of the 2015–16 season he was initially released by Crotone, but on 14 July 2016 he signed a new two-year contract with the club.

Honours

• Lega Pro Seconda Divisione: 2009