Joao Novais

Joao Pedro Barradas Novais (born 10 July 1993) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays for Turkish club Alanyaspor on loan from S.C. Braga as a midfielder.

Club Career

Born in Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto Metropolitan Area, Novais was in the youth ranks of FC Porto before concluding his development at nearby Leixoes SC. He scored his first professional goal on 11 May 2014 in the final game of the Segunda Liga season, a penalty kick to equalise in a 1–1 home draw against C.F. Uniao.

On 3 July 2015, Novais signed for Primeira Liga club Rio Ave F.C. on a four-year deal. He scored twice in his first season with the team from Vila do Conde, including the leveller in a 1–1 draw at Porto on 6 January. In 2017–18 he recorded a career-best eight league goals (mostly from free kicks), and two more in the Taca da Liga in a 3–2 group stage home win over former team Leixoes.

Novais transferred to fellow top-flight club S.C. Braga in May 2018. He scored his first goal on 16 August in a 2–2 home draw with FC Zorya Luhansk in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League, though his side was eliminated on the away goals rule.

On 19 August 2021, Novais was loaned to Alanyaspor of the Turkish Super Lig with an option to buy.