Jair Tavares

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Vieiraand the second or paternal family name is Tavares.

Jair Tavares

Personal information
Full name	Jair Veiga Vieira Tavares
Date of birth	(2001-02-13) 13 February 2001 (age 24)
Height	1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position	Winger
Youth career
2010–2022	Benfica
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2020–2022	Benfica B	37	(4)
2022–2025	Hibernian	34	(2)
2024–2025	→ Motherwell (loan)	9	(0)
2025	Kauno Žalgiris	7	(1)
International career‡
2016–2017	Portugal U16	12	(2)
2017–2018	Portugal U17	14	(1)
2018–2019	Portugal U18	7	(3)
2019	Portugal U19	7	(1)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 2 February 2026 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 3 November 2025 (UTC)

Jair Veiga Vieira Tavares (born 13 February 2001) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a winger.

Career

Tavares came through the Benfica youth system, and played for their B team during the 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons.

On 15 June 2022 Tavares joined Scottish club Hibernian for an undisclosed fee ^[1] on a contract until the summer of 2026. ^[2] Tavares made limited appearances under the management of Lee Johnson, but he became a first team regular following the appointment of Nick Montgomery. ^{[3] [4]}

On 30 August 2024, Tavares joined Motherwell on loan until the end of the 2024–25 season. ^[5] He was released from his contract with Hibs in June 2025. ^[6]

On 22 August 2025, Tavares joined Kauno Žalgiris. ^{[7] [8]} On 15 August 2025 he made debut in A Lyga against FK Riteriai. FK Kauno Žalgiris won 6-1. ^{[9] [10] [11]} On 2 November 2025 he scored first goal in A Lyga against FK Panevėžys and FK Kauno Žalgiris won 3–2. ^{[12] [13] [14]} On 1 February 2026 officially announced that Jair Tavares left Kauno Žalgiris Club. ^[15]

Personal life

Born in Portugal, Tavares is of Cape Verdean descent. ^[16] He hails from a footballing family, with both of his brothers, Cláudio and Miguel, as well as cousin Renato Sanches, all being professional footballers. ^[17]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played on 5 April 2025 ^{[18] [19]}

Club	Season	League			National cup [a]		League cup [b]		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Benfica B	2020–21	LigaPro	13	0	—		—		—		13	0
	2021–22		24	4	—		—		—		24	4
	Total		37	4	—		—		—		37	4
Hibernian	2022–23	Scottish Premiership	8	0	0	0	1	0	—		9	0
	2023–24		26	2	2	0	1	0	—		29	2
	Total		34	2	2	0	2	0	—		38	2
Motherwell (loan)	2024–25	Scottish Premiership	8	0	0	0	4	0	—		12	0
Career totals			79	6	2	0	6	0	—		87	6

Notes

1. Includes Scottish Cup
2. Includes Scottish League Cup

Honours

FK Kauno Žalgiris

• A Lyga: 2025 ^[20]

References

1. "Hibs sign Benfica winger Jair Tavares on four-year deal in 'real coup'". BBC Sport. 15 June 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
2. "Jair Tavares joins Hibernian FC!". Hibernian FC. 15 June 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
3. Wilson, Fraser (23 November 2023). "Jair Tavares reveals Hibs 'mental devastation' kept him up at night as he makes Nick Montgomery vow". Daily Record. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
4. McLauchlin, Brian (24 November 2023). "Montgomery 'proud' of Tavares' resurgence". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
5. "Jair Tavares joins on loan". Motherwell FC. 30 August 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
6. "Jair Tavares Departs Hibs". Hibernian FC. 30 June 2025. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
7. J.Tavaresas: „Ieškojau komandos, kuri žaidžia dominuojantį futbolą“
8. sportas.lt naujienos: Papildymas „Kauno Žalgirio“ gretose: atvyksta Portugalijos futbolininkas
9. 2025-09-14 Kauno Žalgiris 6-1 Riteriai (on alyga.lt)
10. 2025-09-14 Kauno Žalgiris 6-1 Riteriai (on Soccerway)
11. FK KAUNO ŽALGIRIS 6-1 FK RITERIAI (on lietuvosfutbolas.lt)
12. 2025-11-02 Kauno Žalgiris 3-2 Panevėžys (on alyga.lt)
13. 2025-11-02 Kauno Žalgiris 3-2 Panevėžys (on Soccerway)
14. KAUNO ŽALGIRIS 3–2 PANEVĖŽYS (on lietuvosfutbolas.lt)
15. FK „Kauno Žalgiris“ atsisveikino su J.Tavaresu (FK Kauno Žalgiris site)
16. "Ex-Benfica reage a alegado racismo: "O tempo passa e nada muda"". Maisfutebol.
17. "Irmãos Tavares convocados para a visita à Luz". record.pt (in Portuguese). 9 January 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
18. Jair Tavares at Soccerway. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
19. Jair Tavares at ForaDeJogo (archived)
20. "A Lyga - Lietuvos Futbolas". lietuvosfutbolas.lt (in Lithuanian).