Douglas Santos (footballer, born 1994)

Douglas dos Santos Justino de Melo (Russian: Дуглас До Сантос Жустино Де Мело; born 22 March 1994), known as Douglas Santos or simply Douglas, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Russian Premier League club Zenit Saint Petersburg.

Club career

Náutico

In 2011, after an unsuccessful trial at Corinthians, Douglas was signed by Náutico. A year later, he was called up to first team.

On 15 February 2012, Douglas Santos made his first team debut, in a 2–0 home win over Central. On the 26th, he scored his first professional goal, the second of a 3–1 home win over Belo Jardim.

On 18 July, he made his Série A debut, in a 3–0 home win over Ponte Preta. On 10 October, he scored his first top flight goal, in a 1–2 away defeat against Ponte Preta.

Granada and Udinese

On 12 July 2013, Douglas Santos signed a five-year deal with La Liga side Granada CF, for an undisclosed fee. On 2 September, he joined Udinese Calcio in a season-long loan deal.

Douglas Santos made his Serie A debut on 21 December 2013, starting in a 2–1 away win against A.S. Livorno. He made two further appearances for the club during the campaign, being permanently bought by the club in January 2014.

Atlético Mineiro

On 12 August 2014, Douglas Santos was loaned to Atlético Mineiro for 12 months. He made his debut for the club on 31 August.

On 20 July 2015, Galo signed Douglas Santos permanently for €3 million on a four-year contract.

Hamburger SV

On 31 August 2016, Douglas Santos signed for German club Hamburger SV. He played three seasons with the club, making 88 appearances and scoring three goals.

Zenit Saint Petersburg

On 4 July 2019, Douglas Santos joined Russian Premier League side FC Zenit Saint Petersburg, signing a five-year contract. On 3 September 2021, he extended his Zenit contract until the end of the 2025–26 season. On 25 July 2024, he extended it for the 2026–27 season, with an option for 2027–28.

International career

Brazil

A few months before featuring with the U-20's winning squad in the 2013 Toulon Tournament, Douglas Santos received a call-up for the full squad on 2 April 2013, for a match against Bolivia. However, he did not leave the bench.

On 13 August 2015, Douglas Santos returned to the senior team, for friendlies against Costa Rica and the United States. He made his debut for his country in a 2016 friendly against Panama.

He also represented Brazil at the Rio Olympics winning the Olympic men's football tournament.

Russia

On 3 March 2025, Santos switched his allegiance to Russia and received a call-up for the friendly match against Zambia, despite the fact that three days earlier he had been on the prelist of Brazil for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Colombia and Argentina.

Personal life

On 21 October 2024, Santos acquired Russian citizenship.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 13 April 2025

Honours

Atlético Mineiro

• Copa do Brasil: 2014
• Campeonato Mineiro: 2015

Zenit Saint Petersburg

• Russian Premier League: 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24
• Russian Cup: 2019–20, 2023–24
• Russian Super Cup: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

Brazil

• Olympic Gold Medal: 2016

Brazil U20

• Toulon Tournament: 2013, 2014
• Valais Youth Cup: 2013

Individual

• Best Left-back in Brazil: 2015
• Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Team of the Year: 2015
• Russian Premier League Top assist provider: 2020–21
• Russian Premier League Left-back of the Season: 2020–21, 2021–22
• Russian Premier League Defender of the Season: 2022–23, 2023–24.
• Russian Premier League Team of the Season: 2022–23

References

External links

• Profile at the FC Zenit Saint Petersburg website
• Douglas Santos at Soccerway