 After a short spell with Desportiva Capixaba, he signed for Ipatinga in 1999, and was a regular starter for the club until joining Cabofriense in 2001.In 2002, William returned to his native state after agreeing to a contract with América Mineiro, a club he already represented as a youth.He failed to settle into any team in the following campaigns, representing Francana, Portuguesa and Joinville before suffering a serious injury in 2004.