Jonas Oliveira

Jonas Goncalves Oliveira is a Brazilian football player who currently features for the Spanish club Valencia. Although he is a midfielder, he is known to move up with the strikers in an attacking role.

In 2003 Jonas began his youth career with Guarani Futebol Clube and a year later, was brought into their senior lineup. He played with Guarani only until 2005 but that was mainly because a number of major clubs were hunting for his signature after his first season saw him score 12 goals in 25 matches.

In 2006, Jonas joined Santos for two seasons, playing 47 games and scoring 9 times and leading his team to the Sao Paulo State League title two years in a row. He was extremely instrumental from the midfield and in the final-third of the field, made decisive passes to pick out runs wonderfully.

In 2007-08, he moved to Gremio but after failing to make an impact, he was sent out on loan to Portuguesa in 2008. Jonas returned to Gremio in 2009 but the team will wait and see whether the 6 goals in 17 appearances for Portuguesa made any difference to their player.

In 2011 Jonas was signed by Valencia and he was an instant hit, playing upfront as a forward. However, he is largely used as an auxiliary forward to Roberto Soldado.

Jonas made his international debut for Brazil in 2011 and has scored two goals in six matches for his country so far.