 In 2003, he moved to Santos, being the immediate backup of Paulo Almeida as the club finished second in the league.In 2004, Daniel Paulista was deemed surplus to requirements by new manager Vanderlei Luxemburgo, and was released on 6 July of that year.He would play for Juventude, Sertãozinho and São Caetano in the following two years, only impressing with the latter.