*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:47, 26 November 2024 (UTC)
Diego Cristiano Evaristo (born 1 August 1992), known as Diego Pituca or simply Pituca, is a Brazilian footballer who plays for Santos. Mainly a defensive midfielder, he can also play as a left back.
In 2011 Pituca returned to his native state, after agreeing to a contract with Brasilis.[3] He made his debut for the club on 7 May of that year by starting in a 1–0 Campeonato Paulista Segunda Divisão away loss against his first club Guaçuano,[4] and played his first campaign as a left back.[3]
On 11 January 2012, after being a regular starter for Brasilis, Pituca moved back to Mandi.[5] He only scored his first senior goal on 3 March of the following year, in a 2–2 home draw against Sertãozinho; thirteen days later, however, he netted a brace in a 4–1 home routing of Marília.
After two seasons as a starter, Pituca joined Matonense in April 2013.[6] On 28 May 2014, he was loaned to União São João until the end of the year's Paulistão Segunda Divisão.[7]
Botafogo-SP
Pituca during an interview with Botafogo-SP in 2017
Upon returning to Matonense, Pituca impressed enough for the side to secure a loan deal to Botafogo-SP on 19 May 2015, despite being relegated with his previous club.[8] He immediately became a starter at the side, helping in their Campeonato Brasileiro Série D winning campaign.
Pituca signed a permanent deal with Bota for the 2016 season, and remained a mainstay afterwards. On 17 November of that year, he renewed his contract until the end of 2018.[9]
On 29 May 2017 Pituca joined Santos, being initially assigned to the B-team.[10] The following 24 January, he was promoted to the first team by new manager Jair Ventura.[11]
Pituca scored his first senior goal for Peixe on 23 September 2018, netting the opener in a 1–1 home draw against Vasco da Gama. Under new manager Cuca, he became an undisputed starter[14] and finished the campaign with 34 league appearances.
On 3 May 2019, Pituca renewed his contract until April 2023.[15] He remained a regular under subsequent managers Jorge Sampaoli and Jesualdo Ferreira, playing in a more advanced midfield role with the latter.[16]
On 10 November 2020, it was announced that Pituca and a further six first team players tested positive for COVID-19.[17]
Kashima Antlers
On 15 January 2021, Santos president Andrés Rueda announced the sale of Pituca to Japanese club Kashima Antlers.[18] Antlers confirmed the transfer six days later, with Pituca joining the club after the 2020 Copa Libertadores Final.[19]
Despite the J1 League season beginning in February, due to the COVID-19 pandemic Pituca was only allowed to enter Japan on April 2 and had to isolate for 14 days on arrival.[20] He eventually made his debut in the J.League Cup, coming on as a substitute in a 2–2 draw with Sagan Tosu.[21] He scored his first goal for Kashima in a 4-0 J1 League win over Consadole Sapporo.[22] He went on to make 37 appearances across all competitions in his debut season, scoring 2 goals.
Santos return
Pituca in action for Santos in 2024
On 20 July 2023, Santos announced an agreement with Pituca for a four-year contract, effective on 1 January 2024, after his contract with Kashima expired.[23] On 31 December, Santos confirmed his return.[24]
Pituca was a regular starter for the club in the 2024 Campeonato Paulista, being named in the best XI of the competition.
^"Diego Pituca" (in Japanese). Santos. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
^""Quero fazer história no Santos"" ["I want to make history at Santos"] (in Portuguese). Jornal Grande Jogada. 14 June 2017. Archived from the original on 14 July 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
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