Esporte Clube Vitória
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).