Born in Salvador, Bahia, Walace started his youth career with the academy of amateur Simões Filho Futebol Clube. While playing in a cup, he caught the eye of a scout of Avaí Futebol Clube and subsequently joined the club in the next year. However, he was soon loaned to the under-23 team of Esporte Clube Bahia in the same year. In 2013, Walace joined the under-18 team of Grêmio.[3]
Walace was promoted to the senior squad of the club in 2014 by manager Enderson Moreira.[4] On 27 April, he made his first team debut against Atlético Mineiro.[2] In August, he made his first start for the club in a 2–0 defeat against Sport Club Internacional, where he was assigned to mark Andrés D'Alessandro.[5] At the end of the season, media reports suggested that Italian club SSC Napoli, Portuguese clubs FC Porto and S.L. Benfica expressed their interest to sign him.[6]
After the appointment of Roger Machado as the club's manager in 2015, Walace became an undisputed starter for the club.[7] In June, Grêmio rejected an offer from Swiss club FC Basel to secure his services.[8] On 5 October, his contract was extended till 2018.[7] In July 2016, he scored his first league goal in a 2–1 victory over Figueirense Futebol Clube.[9]
Hamburger SV
On 31 January 2017, Walace moved to German club Hamburger SV, signing a contract until 2021.[1] Eleven days later, he scored his first goal in a 3–0 victory against RB Leipzig.[10]
Hannover 96
In June 2018, Walace joined league rivals Hannover 96 on a four-year contract until 2022. The transfer fee paid to Hamburger SV was estimated at €6 million with 10% of the fee going to former club Grêmio.[11][12]
International career
In June 2016, Walace was called by Dunga to the senior international squad for the 2016 Copa America as a replacement for Luiz Gustavo (who left the squad citing personal reasons).[13] He featured once in the tournament, in a 7–1 victory against Haiti.[2]
In the next month, Walace was called to the Brazil under-23 squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics to be held at the month of August. He came as a replacement for Fred, whose club FC Shakhtar Donetsk refused to release him for the tournament.[14] He featured four times in the tournament,[2] with his side emerging as the winner.[1]