Jair Paula

Jair Cunha

Jair with Santos in 2024
Personal information
Full name	Jair Paula da Cunha Filho
Date of birth	(2005-03-07) 7 March 2005 (age 21)
Place of birth	Orlândia, Brazil
Height	1.98 m (6 ft 6 in)
Position	Centre-back
Team information
Current team	Nottingham Forest
Number	23
Youth career
2016–2024	Santos
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2023–2025	Santos	24	(0)
2025	Botafogo	12	(0)
2025–	Nottingham Forest	15	(0)
International career‡
2024–2025	Brazil U20	8	(0)
2026–	Brazil	2	(0)
Medal record Men's football Representing  Brazil South American U-20 Championship Winner 2025 Venezuela
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 22:00, 23 October 2026 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 23:34, 29 September 2026 (UTC)

Jair Paula da Cunha Filho (born 7 March 2005), known as Jair Cunha or just Jair, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Premier League club Nottingham Forest and the Brazil national team.

Born in Orlândia, São Paulo, Jair joined Santos FC's youth setup in 2016, aged ten. During his first year at the club, he lived with teammate Gabriel Bontempo as his parents were unable to move to Santos.

On 19 June 2021, Jair signed his first professional contract with the club, agreeing to a deal until 2024. He was subsequently promoted to the under-20 team, quickly establishing himself as a starter in the category.

On 22 June 2022, Jair renewed his link with Peixe until June 2025, and started to train with the first team squad in August. On 12 January of the following year, he suffered a knee injury while playing for the under-20s in the 2023 Copa São Paulo de Futebol Júnior.

Jair returned to trainings in August 2023, while entering the final stages of his recovery. He was declared fit to play in October, and made his professional – and Série A – debut on 9 November, coming on as a late substitute for fellow youth graduate Marcos Leonardo in a 1–0 away win over Goiás.

On 23 April 2024, after becoming an immediate backup to starters Gil and Joaquim, Jair renewed his contract with Santos until December 2026. In July, he became a regular starter after Joaquim left for Tigres UANL, and finished the year with 22 matches.

On 10 February 2025, Botafogo announced the signing of Jair on a four-year contract. He quickly established himself as a first-choice, and scored his first professional goal on 15 June, netting the opener in a 2–1 win over Seattle Sounders for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

On 11 July 2025, Jair signed a five-year deal with Premier League side Nottingham Forest for an undisclosed transfer fee. He made his debut abroad on 17 September, replacing compatriot Morato at half-time in a 3–2 EFL Cup loss to Swansea City.

Jair made his Premier League debut on 5 October 2025, starting in a 2–0 loss at Newcastle United, and finished the season with just nine league appearances, only seeing more playing time after the arrival of manager Vítor Pereira. At the start of the 2026–27 campaign, he became a starter under Oliver Glasner's 3-5-2 formation, along with compatriot Murillo.

On 17 May 2024, Jair and Santos teammates JP Chermont and Souza were called up to the Brazil national under-20 team for a period of training. On 20 December, he was included in the squad for the 2025 South American U-20 Championship.

On 9 September 2026, Jair was called up to the full side by Carlo Ancelotti for two friendlies against Australia and India. He made his full international debut sixteen days later, coming off the bench in a 1–1 draw against the former.

As of match played 23 October 2026

As of 29 September 2026

Santos

• Campeonato Brasileiro Série B: 2024

Brazil U20

• South American Youth Football Championship: 2025