PortuGOAL Figure of the Week: Rio Ave goal-machine Clayton gunning for more | OneFootball

After a sensational 18-goal season in 37 games for Rio Ave last term, Brazilian forward Clayton has picked up right where he left off.

In an all-Minho clash against a SC Braga fresh off qualifying for the Europa League, Clayton Silva made no mistake from the penalty spot with a composed finish.

He followed that up with his second brace of the season, dispatching another well-placed strike.

After receiving his Man of the Match award, Clayton considered the final result (2-2) to be fair, “leaving a sour taste” as a late El Ouazzani goal turned three points into one.

The ‘e’ in Rio Ave seems to stand for ‘empate’ (a draw in Portuguese) – Liga Portugal 2025/26 has brought three stalemates in three matches for the Rioavistas.

Their shining light has undoubtedly been the ex-Vasco da Gama and Casa Pia forward, directly involved in all six of Rio Ave’s league goals thus far, with five goals and one assist.

Despite the noise linking him to major moves away from Vila do Conde, PortuGOAL’s latest Figure of the Week seems ever-more likely to stay and continue to spearhead the Rio Ave attack. Kevin Fernandes reports.

The rise of the Mineiro

Born in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Clayton’s success in Brazil came in lower-tier state divisions.

Commencing in amateur football, Clayton spent an initial period at Serranense, where he never signed an official deal.

His remaining formative years were divided between Lajeadense and Juventude, where he featured sporadically in the State Championships.

The Mineiro striker climbed the ranks from Série D side Guarany de Sobral, passing through Globo and Vila Nova on his way to top-flight clubs Coritiba and Vasco da Gama.

Despite the rise, he never managed to score in the top-flight despite making 15 Série A appearances.

Before arriving in Portugal to represent Casa Pia, Clayton’s greatest success in Brazilian football remains winning the 2021 Campeonato Potiguar with Globo, where he scored 10 goals in 16 appearances for the Série D side at the age of 22.

Clayton the Casapiano

After a hiatus of 83 years, Casa Pia were promoted to the Portuguese Primeira Liga in the 2022/23 season.

The former Lisbon Championship winners, founded after a children’s charity, finished tenth and ninth consecutively with Clayton spearheading the attack.

Clayton contributed with 16 goals and one assist to Casa Pia’s underdog mission of remaining amongst Portugal’s elite with an inferior budget – mostly isolated in attacking efforts and feeding upon scraps.

Clayton was sold to Vasco da Gama for 3.5 million euros without completing two seasons at the club – Casa Pia’s largest-ever sale at the time.

After another failed stint in Brazil, Clayton returned to his clear footballing home, this time representing Rio Ave.

All aboard the Clay-train

He broke records in his first season, becoming the first Rio Ave player to contribute to over 15 goals directly since Mehdi Taremi.

18 goals in his debut season stabilised Rio Ave in 11th, far from the perils of relegation.

Clayton did this as an accurate and confident finisher, both in and outside of the penalty area, with both feet.

The Brazilian can strike quickly with power and spontaneity, giving goalkeepers little time to react as a dominant box presence in his own right.

He is a reference point for Rio Ave as a powerful player and capable dueller – playing in support of surrounding attackers and allowing his side to push up the field with his hold-up play.

Despite not boasting blistering pace (and being caught offside regularly), Clayton can threaten to attack space behind opposition defences.

His close control is dependable and can open angles for passes, shots and opportunities to carry the ball forward with intent.

A complete forward, despite his fiery disciplinary record and unimpressive defensive contributions.

The interest from Portuguese juggernauts FC Porto, SL Benfica and Sporting CP was inevitable, leaving Clayton happy with the recognition.

“I have dreams, I’m 26 years old and I want to play at national team level, in the Premier League, the Champions League…”

“Gyökeres, Pavlidis, and Samu? I know my quality and the level I can reach. I could battle with them for my place.”

That move seems inevitable if the latest PortuGOAL Figure of the Week continues on this upward trajectory.