João Novais

Leixões

Born in Vila Nova de Gaia, Porto metropolitan area, Novais was in the youth ranks of FC Porto before concluding his development at nearby Leixões 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. União.

Rio Ave

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 Taça da Liga in a 3–2 group stage home win over former team Leixões.

Braga

Novais transferred to fellow top-flight club S.C. Braga in May 2018, on a five-year deal after activating his €1.5 million buyout clause. 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; his first league season at the Estádio Municipal de Braga yielded one goal, consolation in the 6–2 away loss to S.L. Benfica on 23 December. On 25 January 2020, Novais was a last-minute substitute for João Palhinha in the League Cup final, which his team won 1–0 against Porto. Four days later he was sent off at the end of a 2–1 victory at nearby Moreirense F.C. for a foul on Abdu Conté, and missed the next game…

Novais' father Abílio also played as a midfielder, being best known for his spell at S.C. Salgueiros in the late 1990s.

Braga

Taça de Portugal: 2020–21 Taça da Liga: 2019–20