Paulo Sérgio Betanin (born 10 January 1986), more commonly known as Paulinho, is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a forward. He also holds an Italian passport through Venetian descent.
Paulinho started his career at Esporte Clube Juventude. He was signed by Livorno on loan in January 2005. He made his Serie A debut on 17 April 2005 against Fiorentina.
In 2007âÂÂ08 season he left for Serie B side Grosseto and in 2009âÂÂ10 season left for Sorrento. His loan was extended in July 2010. With Livorno, he won promotion to Serie A in 2009, only a year after the team had been relegated from the same division. Livrono promoted back to Serie A in 2013. However, the club relegated again in 2014.
In 2014 Paulinho was sold to Al-Arabi for â¬8 million (â¬7.6 million to Livorno and â¬400,000 as solidarity contribution.)
On 23 August 2017, Paulinho returned to Italy for Cremonese. On 1 February 2019, he was released from his Cremonese contract by mutual consent.
Paulinho was capped for the Brazilian under-20 team at the 2005 South American Youth Championship. He played four matches and scored once.