AÃÂlton José Almeida (born 20 August 1984), simply known as AÃÂlton (), is a Brazilian former footballer who played as a forward.
He moved to F.C. Copenhagen from Swedish ÃÂrgryte IS on 1 January 2007 for 22 million Danish kroner, which by then was a transfer record for a Danish club. Both F.C. Copenhagen and Brøndby IF struggled for Almeida's signature, but after some hesitation from Brøndby IF, he ended up at F.C. Copenhagen.
Scoring in his only second game for F.C. Copenhagen against Brøndby IF in one of the New Firm matches, he was considered a new star and a start of a new era for the club, which for many years had suffered from a lack of goals from the strikers. However, he did not manage to follow up on his performances, and was subsequently placed on the bench as a substitute. On 15 April 2007, Ailton scored with a bicycle kick in F.C. Copenhagen's 4âÂÂ2 win over OB, which led to many people thinking his breakthrough was finally about to come, but he yet again had to see himself become a substitute.
After the winter break in the 2007âÂÂ08 season AÃÂlton got a chance in the Danish Cup quarterfinals, where F.C. Copenhagen was to face Næstved BK. He scored a goal in the beginning of the second half following an assist from his countryman José Júnior.
In the beginning of the 2008âÂÂ09 season he had been playing regularly, becoming an important member of the starting line-up and the attacking play, however, he still had trouble finding the net. He however started against FC Midtjylland on 16 November 2008 and scored two goals. He scored again against Manchester City in an UEFA Cup match home at Parken. During the season, he scored 11 goals in the league and 4 goals in the cup, being influential in securing the cup and the league titles.
During the next season he appeared in 39 matches and scored 8 goals in all competitions, helping F.C. Copenhagen to win the league again, and reach the knockout phase of the season's Europa League.
On 28 July 2010, AÃÂlton signed a three-year contract with APOEL. A transfer fee of â¬700,000 was paid to F.C. Copenhagen, which is the transfer record in the history of APOEL. He made his debut on 5 August 2010 against FK Jablonec in the UEFA Europa League 3rd qualifying round. He scored his first goal with APOEL on 26 August 2010 against Getafe CF on the UEFA Europa League play-off round, in a match which ended 1âÂÂ1 after extra time. Ailton had a very good first season with APOEL. He played in all championship matches and scored 7 goals, helping his new club to win the 2010âÂÂ11 Cypriot First Division. After the three championship titles which he won with F.C. Copenhagen, he won his fourth consecutive championship title, this time with APOEL. He was voted by Cyprus Football Association as the player of the season (MVP) 2010âÂÂ11 in the Cypriot First Division.
He started the 2011âÂÂ12 season in fine form, scoring 4 goals in the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds that helped APOEL qualify for the group stage of the 2011âÂÂ12 UEFA Champions League. In the first group stage match against Zenit Saint Petersburg on 13 September 2011, he scored the winner 75 minutes in as his side came from behind to claim a 2âÂÂ1 victory. On 19 October 2011, he scored the equaliser 19 minutes in as APOEL snatched a 1âÂÂ1 draw at FC Porto. He followed up on that success by scoring from the spot in his side's 2âÂÂ1 victory over FC Porto in the reverse encounter in Nicosia He also appeared in the round-of-16 triumph over Olympique Lyonnais where he converted his attempt in the penalty shootout. In total, he scored three goals in the group phase and seven overall in the competition, as the club reached the quarter-finals for the first time ever.
He made his last two appearances for APOEL in the 2012âÂÂ13 season against Aalesunds FK for the second qualifying round of the 2012âÂÂ13 UEFA Europa League, appearing in both legs and scoring the opening goal in APOEL's 2âÂÂ0 first leg home win.
On 5 September 2012, AÃÂlton joined the Russian side Terek Grozny on a three-year contract, after he completed his transfer from APOEL for a fee reportedly in the region of , which was the transfer record for a Cypriot club. On 14 September 2012, he made his debut for Terek. He opened the score in a 2âÂÂ0 away win over the reigning champions Zenit St. Petersburg.
In July 2015, he joined Al-Hilal on a one-year contract. Ailton was given Shirt #9 in the league and domestic cups and #99 in the AFC
Hilal Winning - Saudi Super Cup 2015 Win
Ailton scored 1 Goal in a Saudi Professional League's game against Al Wahda Club Club. Al Hilal Won that game 2âÂÂ0.
Ailton scored 1 goal in a Saudi Professional League's game against Al Fateh Club. Al Hilal Won that game 2âÂÂ1.
Ailton joined Hilal as they were attempting to qualify for the semi-finals of the Asian Champions League. In the quarter-finals game, Al Hilal played against Lakhwia FC of Qatar.
Ailton scored 1 goal, and Al Hilal Won 4âÂÂ1 in first leg of the quarter finals.
In the second leg Hilal drew with Lakhwia FC 2-2
On 28 January 2019, AÃÂlton returned to ÃÂrgryte IS, competing in Superettan, signing a three-year contract. On 29 September 2022, he announced his retirement from professional football.
Copenhagen
APOEL
Al-Hilal