In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family nameisde Araújo and the second or paternal family name is Pereira. "Júnior" is a generational suffix used for someone whose name is the same as their father, like "Jr." in English.
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Egídio was a Flamengo youth graduate. He made his first team debut on 19 January 2003 at the age of just 16, coming on as a late substitute for Zé Carlos in a 2–1 Campeonato Carioca home win against Friburguense.[1] He subsequently returned to the youth setup, being definitely promoted to the main squad only in the 2006 season.
Egídio made his Série A debut on 23 July 2006, replacing André Lima in a 3–0 away loss against Santa Cruz.[2] Ahead of the 2007 campaign, he was loaned to fellow top-tier side Paraná;[3] at the club he scored his first senior goal on 18 March 2007, netting his team's second in a 2–2 away draw against Coritiba for the Campeonato Paranaense championship.[4]
In June 2007, Egídio was recalled by Fla, as starter Juan was heavily linked to a move to Espanyol.[5] The move never materialized, and after again being rarely used, he served another loan stints at Juventude,[6]Figueirense[7] and Vitória.[8]
Back to Flamengo for the 2011 season,[9] Egídio was a regular starter during the year's state league. He started the league being a first-choice, scoring once in a 3–3 away draw against Bahia on 29 May, but lost space after the arrival of Júnior César, and was subsequently loaned to fellow league team Ceará on 22 June.[10]
On 4 January 2012, Egídio was presented at Série B side Goiás.[11] He was an undisputed starter for the club, scoring eight times and providing 28 assists as the club achieved promotion to the main category as champions.[12]
On 5 December 2012, Egídio joined Cruzeiro on a permanent deal.[13] A regular starter, he lifted the league trophy twice while also winning the Campeonato Mineiro in 2014.
On 6 January 2015, Egídio moved abroad for the first time in his career and joined Ukrainian club Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk.[14] He only made his debut for the club on 19 February, in a 2–0 home win against Olympiacos for the UEFA Europa League.
In late March 2015, Egídio terminated his contract with Dnipro after allegedly not having been receiving wages.[15]
On 1 April 2015, Egídio was presented at Palmeiras, after agreeing to a contract until the end of 2017.[16] Initially an undisputed starter, he fell down the pecking order in the following years, being constantly criticized by the club's supporters due to his performances.[17]
On 29 November 2017, Egídio returned to former club Cruzeiro after signing a two-year deal.[18] On 28 February 2019, he renewed his contract until the end of 2020,[19] but was a first-choice in the club's first-ever relegation from the top tier, being again subject of criticism by the club's supporters.
