Quick Facts
VirgoBiography
Lucas Eduardo Santos João (born 4 September 1993), known as Lucas João, is a Portuguese footballer who plays for English club Blackburn Rovers on loan from Sheffield Wednesday as a forward.
Club career
Nacional
Born in Lisbon of Angolan descent, Lucas João started playing football with amateurs Beira Mar Atlético Clube Almada. In 2011 he joined C.D. Nacional, where he spent his last year as a junior.
Lucas João made his senior debuts with lowly SC Mirandela, on loan. He returned to the Madeirans for the 2013–14 season, making his Primeira Liga debut on 15 September 2013 against F.C. Arouca after coming on as a 78th-minute substitute, in a 0–1 home loss.
Lucas João scored his first goal(s) in the top flight on 11 January 2015, his brace helping defeat Boavista F.C. 2–1 at home. He netted a further six – seven overall – during the campaign, as his team finished in seventh position.
Sheffield Wednesday
On 31 July 2015, Lucas João joined former teammate Marco Matias at English club Sheffield Wednesday, signing a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee. He made his debut in the Football League Championship on 8 August, replacing Atdhe Nuhiu for the last 13 minutes of a 2–0 home win against Bristol City. Three days later he scored his first goal, in a 4–1 success over Mansfield Town for the League Cup also at the Hillsborough Stadium.
On 27 October 2015, João was one of three players on target as Wednesday defeated Arsenal 3–0 at home to reach the fifth round of the League Cup. On 30 January 2017, he joined fellow league team Blackburn Rovers on loan until the end of the season.
International career
Lucas João gained five caps for Portugal at youth level, including three for the under-21s. He was first called up to the full side on 6 November 2015, with manager Fernando Santos picking him ahead of friendlies against Russia and Luxembourg, making his debut in the former match by featuring 18 minutes in the 0–1 loss in Krasnodar.
Career statistics
Club
| Club | Season | Domestic League | Domestic Cup | League Cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Nacional | 2012–13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2013–14 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — | — | 19 | 1 | |||
| 2014–15 | 30 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 37 | 8 | ||
| Total | 46 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 56 | 9 | ||
| Mirandela (loan) | 2012–13 | 27 | 12 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 28 | 12 | |||
| Total | 27 | 12 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 28 | 12 | ||||
| Sheffield Wednesday | 2015–16 | 40 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | — | 2 | 0 | 48 | 8 | |
| 2016–17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | |||
| Total | 40 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | — | 2 | 0 | 49 | 9 | ||
| Career Total | 113 | 25 | 6 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 133 | 30 | |
International
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | 2015 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 2 | 0 | |
