Born in Braga, Joca had two youth spells with local S.C. Braga, the last one starting at the age of 15. He made his senior debut with their reserves on 9 August 2014, coming on as a 76th-minute substitute in a 1–0 away loss against C.D. Tondela in the Segunda Liga;[2] he went to spend three full seasons with the side, always in that division.
On 11 July 2017, after scoring a career-best 12 goals during the campaign with Braga B,[3] Joca was loaned to Primeira Liga club Tondela.[4] His first game in the competition occurred on 9 September, when he featured one minute in the 2–2 home draw with F.C. Paços de Ferreira.[5]
Rio Ave and Leixões
On 27 July 2018, Joca signed a three-year contract at Rio Ave F.C. also of the Portuguese top tier.[6] In January 2020, not being part of manager Carlos Carvalhal's plans, he was loaned to Leixões S.C. until June.[7]
Joca joined Leixões on a permanent basis on 18 August 2020.[8] In July 2021, however, he returned to the Estádio dos Arcos on a one-year deal.[9]
Rio Ave won the second division in 2021–22, with Joca contributing three goals from 31 matches.[10][11] He missed the vast majority of the following season with a knee injury.[12][13]