Jair Veiga Vieira Tavares (born 13 February 2001) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Scottish Premiership club Motherwell, on loan from Hibernian. Tavares has previously played for Benfica and represented Portugal in youth internationals.

Jair Tavares
Personal information
Full name Jair Veiga Vieira Tavares
Date of birth (2001-02-13) 13 February 2001 (age 23)
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
Motherwell (loan)
Number 90
Youth career
2010–2022 Benfica
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2020–2022 Benfica B 37 (4)
2022– Hibernian 34 (2)
2024–Motherwell (Loan) 3 (0)
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, correct as of 16 November 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 16:14, 30 September 2020 (UTC)

Career

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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]

Personal life

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Born in Portugal, Tavares is of Cape Verdean descent.[6] He hails from a footballing family, with both of his brothers, Cláudio and Miguel, as well as cousin Renato Sanches, all being professional footballers.[7]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played on 15 May 2024[8][9]
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Benfica B 2020–21 LigaPro 13 0 0 0 13 0
2021–22 24 4 0 0 24 4
Total 37 4 0 0 37 4
Hibernian 2022–23 Scottish Premiership 8 0 0 0 1 0 9 0
2023–24 25 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 28 2
Total 33 2 2 0 2 0 0 0 37 2
Career totals 70 6 2 0 2 0 0 0 74 6
Notes

References

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  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. ^ "Ex-Benfica reage a alegado racismo: "O tempo passa e nada muda"". Maisfutebol.
  7. ^ "Irmãos Tavares convocados para a visita à Luz". record.pt (in Portuguese). 9 January 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  8. ^ Jair Tavares at Soccerway. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  9. ^ Jair Tavares at ForaDeJogo (archived)