After having his loan terminated in March 2021,[3] Criciúma announced the return of Claudinho to the club on 1 April, being definitely assigned to the first team.[4] He made his senior debut three days later, starting in a 1–1 Campeonato Catarinense away draw against Marcílio Dias.[5]
Claudinho became a regular starter during the 2021 Série C, and scored his first senior goal on 10 October, netting the opener in a 2–0 away win over Ituano.[6] On 21 December, after helping the club to achieve promotion, he renewed his contract until 2023.[7]
After featuring more sparingly during the 2022 season, Claudinho was a regular starter during the 2023 campaign, renewing his contract until 2024 on 23 June 2023.[8] On 29 January 2024, after achieving promotion to the top tier, he further extended his link until the end of 2025.[9]
^"Criciúma renova com o lateral Claudinho" [Criciúma renew with full-back Claudinho] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Criciúma EC. 21 December 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2024.