Douglas dos Santos Justino de Melo (; 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, which he captains, and the Brazil national team.
Club career
Náutico On 15 February 2012, Douglas Santos made his first team debut, in a 2–0 home win over Central.PE 2012: Náutico 2x0 Central -> Patativa mais uma vez não se deu bem nos Aflitos (PE 2012: Patativa does not get along in Aflitos one more time); Giro dos Esportes, 15 February 2012 On the 26th, he scored his first professional goal, the second of a 3–1 home win over Belo Jardim.Náutico bate o Belo Jardim por 3 a 1 e reassume vice-liderança (Náutico beats Belo Jardim by 3–1 and regain second place); Globo Esporte, 26 February 2012
On 18 July, he made his Série A debut, in a 3–0 home win over Ponte Preta.Kieza estreia, marca dois goals e dá vitória ao Náutico sobre a Ponte Preta (Kieza debuts, scores twice and leads Náutico to victory over Ponte Preta); Globo Esporte, 18 July 2012 On 10 October, he scored his first top flight goal, in a 1–2 away defeat against Ponte Preta.No embalo da torcida, Ponte bate o Náutico com virada em dois minutos (With crowd's rhythm, Ponte beats Náutico with two-minute comeback); Globo Esporte, 10 October 2012
Granada and Udinese On 12 July 2013, Douglas Santos signed a five-year deal with La Liga side Granada CF, for an undisclosed fee.Douglas Santos nuevo jugador del Granada CF (Douglas Santos new Granada CF's player); Granada's official website, 12 July 2013 On 2 September, he joined Udinese Calcio in a season-long loan deal.Udinese acquires Douglas Dos Santos and leaves Torje, Geijo and Sissoko ; Udinese's official website, 2 September 2013
Atlético Mineiro On 12 August 2014, Douglas Santos was loaned to Atlético Mineiro for 12 months.Douglas Santos quer aproveitar chance no Galo (Douglas Santos wants to take his chances at Galo); Atlético Mineiro's official website, 14 August 2014
On 20 July 2015, Galo signed Douglas Santos permanently for €3 million on a four-year contract.Galo renova com Rafael Carioca e Douglas Santos (Galo renews with Rafael Carioca and Douglas Santos); Atlético Mineiro's official website, 20 July 2015
Hamburger SV On 31 August 2016, Douglas Santos signed for German club Hamburger SV.
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 (2013–2016)
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.Felipão convoca Neymar, Alexandre Pato e R10 para jogo contra a Bolívia (Felipão calls Neymar, Alexandre Pato and R10 to match against Bolivia); Globo Esporte, 2 April 2013 However, he did not leave the bench.Bolivia vs. Brazil 0 - 4; Global Sports Media, 6 April 2013
On 13 August 2015, Douglas Santos returned to the senior team, for friendlies against Costa Rica and the United States.A lista de Dunga para jogos de setembro; CBF's official website, 13 August 2015
He also represented Brazil at the Rio Olympics winning the Olympic men's football tournament, and at the Copa América Centenario in 2016, early on the same summer international window.
Russia (2025) 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.
Return to Brazil (2025–present) On 31 August 2025, Santos' request to change sports citizenship from Russian to Brazilian was approved by FIFA, following his call up to the Brazil national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches Chile and Bolivia in September 2025.
Personal life On 21 October 2024, after five years at Zenit, Santos acquired Russian citizenship.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalState leagueOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsNáutico2012Série A221——31—2522013Série A—20—121—141Total22120—152—393Udinese (loan)2013–14Serie A30————30Atlético Mineiro2014Série A13160———1912015Série A310206190—4812016Série A1001010010110321Total5419016119110993Hamburger SV2016–17Bundesliga20020———2202017–18Bundesliga27110———2812018–192. Bundesliga33151———382Total80281———883Zenit Saint Petersburg2019–20Russian Premier League2804060——3802020–21Russian Premier League2830050—103432021–22Russian Premier League2702170—103712022–23Russian Premier League28050——103402023–24Russian Premier League26390——103632024–25Russian Premier League30070——103802025–26Russian Premier League23121———2522026–27Russian Premier League6030———90Total1967322180—502519Career total355115133413436048018
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsBrazil201610202520202690Total120
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, 2025–26 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