Japa (footballer, born 2004)

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Gadelha Melo and the second or paternal family name is de Oliveira Naoi.
Japa
Personal information
Full name João Wellington Gadelha Melo de Oliveira Naoi
Date of birth (2004-01-02) 2 January 2004 (age 21)
Place of birth Goianinha, Brazil
Height 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Cruzeiro
Number 77
Youth career
Cruzeiro
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023– Cruzeiro 18 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:22, 23 October 2024 (UTC)

João Wellington Gadelha Melo de Oliveira Naoi (born 2 January 2004), commonly known as Japa, is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a midfielder for Cruzeiro.

Career

Japa was born in Goianinha, Rio Grande do Norte.[1] A Cruzeiro youth graduate, he signed his first professional contract with the club on 14 December 2021.[2] On 16 May 2023, he further extended his link until 2026.[3]

Japa made his professional – and Série A – debut on 22 October 2023, coming on as a second-half substitute for fellow youth graduate Kaiki Bruno in a 1–0 away win over rivals Atlético Mineiro.[4]

Career statistics

As of 23 October 2024[5]
Club Season League State League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Cruzeiro 2023 Série A 7 0 0 0 — — — 7 0
2024 7 0 4 0 1 0 0 0 — 12 0
Career total 14 0 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 19 0

References

  1. ^ "Jovem talento de Goianinha brilha no futebol e garante vaga no Cruzeiro para a temporada de 2024" [Young talent from Goianinha shines in football and assures spot at Cruzeiro for the 2024 season] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Goianinha Rádio. 10 December 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Ítalo e Japa assinam seus primeiros contratos profissionais com o Cruzeiro" [Ítalo and Japa sign their first professional contracts with Cruzeiro] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Diário Celeste. 14 December 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  3. ^ "Cruzeiro amplia contrato com meia da base e multa internacional; veja detalhes" [Cruzeiro extend contract with midfielder from the youth setup and international release clause; see details] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 16 May 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  4. ^ "Revelação da base do Cruzeiro, Japa celebra estreia no clássico: "Experiência incrível"" [Graduate of Cruzeiro's youth setup, Japa celebrates debut in derby: "Amazing experience"] (in Brazilian Portuguese). ge. 24 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  5. ^ Japa at Soccerway. Retrieved 28 October 2023.


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