Yohan Tavares


Yohan Tavares is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays for C.D. Tondela as a central defender.
Over eight seasons, he amassed Primeira Liga totals of 188 matches and five goals for Beira-Mar, Estoril, Vitória de Setúbal and Tondela. He also competed professionally in Belgium, Thailand, Cyprus and France.

Club career

Beira-Mar

Tavares was born in Tours, France. After an unassuming spell with Le Mans FC – he only appeared officially with the reserve team – he returned to the land of his parents and joined S.C. Beira-Mar, signing a four-year contract following a successful trial period. He suffered a ligament injury to his right knee in December 2008, going on to be sidelined for several months.
Tavares contributed with 12 games in his second season as the Aveiro club returned to the Primeira Liga after three years. He made his debut in the competition on 15 August 2010 in a 0–0 home draw against U.D. Leiria, and finished the campaign with 21 matches, scoring in a 1–1 home draw to Rio Ave F.C. as his team finally ranked 13th, out of the relegation zone.

Standard Liège

In the 2012 summer transfer window, Tavares signed with Standard Liège in the Belgian Pro League for a reported fee of €2 million, agreeing to a three-year deal. He made the first of only three competitive appearances for his new club on 30 September, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–2 away loss against K.V. Kortrijk.

Estoril

On 26 July 2013, after having spent the latter part of the season on loan at the club, and after having cancelled his contract with A.C. ChievoVerona, Tavares joined G.D. Estoril Praia on a three-year deal. He started in all his league matches during his spell at the Estádio António Coimbra da Mota, and added 16 in the UEFA Europa League, his first being on 1 August 2013 in a 0–0 home draw to Hapoel Ramat Gan Givatayim F.C. for the third qualifying round– his only goal took place on 23 October of the following year, in a 1–2 group stage loss against FC Dynamo Moscow.

Later years

On 21 November 2016, free agent Tavares moved to the Thai League 1 with Bangkok United FC. After a three-month stint back in his country with Vitória de Setúbal, he signed with Cypriot club APOEL FC on 23 May 2018.

International career

On 19 May 2011, during the final of the International Challenge Trophy against England C played in Northampton, Tavares celebrated his debut for the Portugal under-23 team by scoring the game's only goal.

Career statistics

Honours

Beira-Mar