José Aílton da Silva (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʒuˈzɛ aˈiwtõ dɐ ˈsiwvɐ], born 8 September 1977), known as just Aílton, is a Brazilian former professional footballer,^[1] who operated as an attacking midfielder and also as a left midfielder or winger in the same zone.^[2] Product of the youth ranks of Bragantino, he started his professional career in 1996 with Palmeiras. He then moved to Deportivo Italia, after a brief spell at Etti Jundiaí. He is a Mexican naturalized citizen.

His playing career started in 1997 at Palmeiras, then in 1998 he moved to Etti Jundiaí-SP. By 1999 he was ready to move on and was signed by Venezuela's Deportivo Italia, helping them to the league title. He was then signed by Mexican club Club Atlas, subsequently being sold to Club Leon in the country's second division. His next move, a brief, unsuccessful spell with A.S. Bari in Italy was ended by Pumas.

In his return to Mexico at Pumas his skills helped the club win the Mexican League titles and, in 2004, Santiago Bernabéu Trophy. In 2006, he helped San Luis to have their best position in the table of Clausura before his subsequent move in 2007 to Brazilian club Sport Club Corinthians Paulista.

In 2008, he joined Católica.

Deportivo Italia

• Primera División Venezolana (1): 1999

UNAM Pumas

• Torneo de Clausura (1): 2004
• Torneo de Apertura (1): 2004
• Trofeo Santiago Bernabéu (1): 2004
• Copa Sudamericana (1): Runner–up 2005

• Aílton da Silva at Football–Lineups
• Aílton at Soccerway
• Aílton at BDFA (in Spanish)