In July 2007, Santana was signed from Santos by Atlético Madrid, on a three-year contract worth €6 million.[1] Although not an undisputed starter, he still contributed with 23 league matches as the Colchonerosreturned to the UEFA Champions League after a 12-year hiatus, being played mostly after Maniche's loan departure to Inter Milan in January 2008.[2]
For the 2008–09 season, Santana was loaned to fellow La Liga club RCD Mallorca.[3] On 9 November 2008 he scored his first goal for the Balearic Islands team, in a 3–3 home draw against Athletic Bilbao,[4] and finished the campaign (in which he featured heavily, alongside another player loaned by Atlético, José Manuel Jurado) with five, which also included the 2–1 winner against already crowned champions FC Barcelona on 17 May 2009,[5] and a solo effort the following week, a 3–1 triumph at Real Madrid.[6]
Cléber then returned to Atlético, being used sparingly but managing to net in a 2–2 home draw against UD Almería, on 23 September 2009.[7] In late January of the following year, even though he had renewed his contract until June 2012,[8] he returned to his country, signing with São Paulo FC.[9]
On 21 September 2012, Santana was announced at Clube de Regatas do Flamengo, claiming the team could "not afford to think about relegation" even though it was playing below the general expectations – going on to finish in 11th position. He signed a two-year contract, and the Rio de Janeiro side bought 70% of his rights;[10] he scored on his official debut two days later, against Atlético Clube Goianiense for the Série A.[11]
On 28 November 2016, whilst travelling with Chapecoense to the aforementioned finals, 35-year-old Santana was among the fatalities of the LaMia Flight 2933 accident in the Colombian village of Cerro Gordo, La Unión, Antioquia.[13]
