Aurélio continued to be an important first-team element in the following six top-division seasons, appearing in 149 matches and scoring in a 3–0 victory at Rio Ave F.C. on 28 September 2013.[6] He also featured regularly as right back.[7]
Vitória Guimarães
On 9 June 2016, Aurélio signed a two-year contract with Vitória SC, where he had played youth football from ages 17 to 19.[8] He played 62 total games for the team from Guimarães, including four in their run to the final of the Taça de Portugal, but was unused in the decisive match that the team lost 2–1 to S.L. Benfica.[9]
Having turned down the chance to play in Croatia for HNK Hajduk Split, Aurélio moved to Vitória's neighbours Moreirense F.C. on a two-year deal on 20 June 2018.[11] In his third appearance, on 27 August, he scored with the last touch of the game to seal a 1–1 home draw with B-SAD.[12]
Aurélio's twin brother, Luís, was also a footballer and a midfielder. He played most of his career in the lower leagues, and they shared teams at Nacional.[15][16]
^Afonso, Jorge (25 August 2020). "João Aurélio é reforço do Pafos FC" [João Aurélio is addition to Pafos FC]. Record (in Portuguese). Retrieved 26 August 2020.
^"Oceano com maré cheia de golos" [Ocean ("Oceano" in English, pun on manager's name) with tideful of goals] (in Portuguese). Rádio e Televisão de Portugal. 4 September 2009. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
^"Sub-21: Os De Boer de Beja" [Under-21: Beja's De Boers]. Record (in Portuguese). 18 April 2009. Retrieved 3 July 2016.