Ocimar de Almeida Júnior or simply Júnior Urso (born 10 March 1989) is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for São Bernardo.
Career Brazil Júnior started his career in Santo André. In 2010, he transferred to Ituano. After a good performance in early 2011, he had his federative rights purchased to Avaí and was loaned to Paraná Clube immediately. In the middle of 2011 season, Avaí called back Junior Urso to play in the Série A. He made his debut for Avaí in the game which Avaí loses to Grêmio in Ressacada.Globo Esporte - Simples e eficiente na marcação, Grêmio vence o abatido Avaí em SC In the end of 2011, he was hired with Coritiba.
Shandong Luneng In February 2014, Urso moved to Chinese Super League giants Shandong Luneng and proceeded to score the first goal of the season against Harbin Yiteng.鲁能官方宣布第五外援 巴甲强力后腰正式加盟
Loan to Atlético Mineiro Following contract disputes with Shandong Luneng, the Chinese club loaned Urso back to Brazil where he played the 2016 season with Atlético Mineiro. The loan fee was a reported US$2 million (R$7.2 million).
Guangzhou R&F On 9 January 2017, Júnior moved to fellow Super League side Guangzhou R&F.富力官方宣布乌索正式加盟 at sports.sohu.com 9 January 2017 Retrieved 20 January 2017
Corinthians On 4 February 2019, Júnior Urso returned to Brazil, signing with Corinthians after Guangzhou terminated his contract. He made his debut for the team on 17 February against São Paulo FC in the 2019 Campeonato Paulista, a competition Corinthians would go on to win. Three days later he scored his first goal for the club in a 4–2 win over Avenida in the Copa do Brasil.
Orlando City On 6 January 2020, Corinthians confirmed the sale of Urso to MLS team Orlando City ahead of the 2020 season, reportedly for a fee of $900k. Orlando announced his arrival the following week. Urso made his debut for the team in the season opener, captaining the side in place of the suspended Nani as Orlando earned a 0–0 draw against Real Salt Lake. On 29 August 2020, Urso scored the opener in a 3–1 win over Atlanta United, Orlando's first ever win in the rivalry's history. On 10 November 2022, Orlando City and Urso mutually agreed to terminate his contract, allowing Urso to return to Brazil for personal reasons. In three seasons, he made a total of 100 appearances in all competitions and scored 14 goals.
In July 2023, Urso rejoined Orlando City. In December 2023, as part of the end of season roster moves, it was announced Urso had his option declined and was released as a free agent.
Charlotte FC On 21 February 2024, Urso signed with Charlotte FC ahead of their 2024 season. Charlotte declined his contract option following their 2024 season.
Houston Dynamo Urso signed with Houston Dynamo 11 February 2025. Houston declined his contract option following the 2025 season.
Personal life Urso's brother is former professional footballer Peter de Almeida who retired in 2015 to become Junior's agent.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalPlayoffsOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsSanto André2010Campeonato Paulista0000——2020Ituano2011Campeonato Paulista0000——190190Avaí2011Série A11000——00110Paraná (loan)2011Série B16000——00160Coritiba2012Série A2419020—16251320132313020—110391Total4721204000272904Shandong Luneng2014Chinese Super League30400———30420152891052——3411Total5813105200006415Atlético Mineiro (loan)2016Série A2347081—102487Guangzhou R&F2017Chinese Super League18230———212201824410———254Total42640000000466Corinthians2019Série A2737081—101485Orlando City2020MLS233——21202742021304——1010324202234561—10—416Total87126100413010014Coritiba2023Série A6010——1080Orlando City2023MLS9000003000120Career total326403812547172546851
Honours Coritiba Campeonato Paranaense: 2012, 2013
Shandong Luneng Chinese FA Cup: 2014 Chinese FA Super Cup: 2015
Corinthians Campeonato Paulista: 2019
Orlando City U.S. Open Cup: 2022
Individual Campeonato Mineiro Team of the Tournament: 2016 Campeonato Paulista Team of the Tournament: 2019
References
External links