ECヴィトーリア
Born in Vitória, Espírito Santo, Nílson started his career at Esporte Clube Vitória, signing with Santa Cruz Futebol Clube in 1999 and achieving promotion from the Campeonato Brasileiro Série B in the same year. He then had loan spells, at Sociedade Esportiva do Gama and Associação Atlética Internacional (Limeira).