Joaquim Claude Gonçalves Araújo (born 9 April 1994), known as Gonçalves, is a professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Slovenian PrvaLiga club Maribor.
Born in France, he represented Portugal at youth international level.
Club career Ajaccio Born in Propriano, Corsica of Portuguese descent, Gonçalves came through local AC Ajaccio's youth system. He made his Ligue 1 debut on 21 September 2013, coming on as a 46th-minute substitute for Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi in a 2–0 away loss against Stade Rennais FC.
Gonçalves contributed 23 games – 14 starts – in his first season, but the club returned to Ligue 2 after finishing in 20th and last position.
Tondela On 20 June 2016, Gonçalves signed a two-year contract with C.D. Tondela of the Portuguese Primeira Liga. He first appeared in the competition on 13 August, playing 34 minutes in a 0–2 home defeat to S.L. Benfica.
Gonçalves appeared in 58 competitive matches during his spell at the Estádio João Cardoso.
Troyes On 30 August 2018, Gonçalves joined French second-tier side Troyes AC on a two-year deal. His maiden league appearance took place on 26 October, when he replaced Yoann Salmier midway through the second half of the 2–0 away victory over Grenoble Foot 38.
Gil Vicente Gonçalves returned to the Portuguese top flight in summer 2019, agreeing to a contract at Gil Vicente FC. He scored his first goal for the club on 19 October, closing the 2–0 defeat of F.C. Penafiel in the third round of the Taça de Portugal. His first in the league came two months later, at home with Vitória de Guimarães (2–2).
Ludogorets In May 2021, Gonçalves joined PFC Ludogorets Razgrad of the First Professional Football League, with the deal being made effective on 1 July. He won the Bulgarian Supercup on 17 July after beating PFC CSKA Sofia 4–0, and at the end of his debut campaign was also crowned national champion.
Gonçalves won a further two domestic leagues until the end of his tenure, totalling 121 appearances and nine assists.
Legia Warsaw On 15 June 2024, Gonçalves signed a three-year contract with Polish Ekstraklasa club Legia Warsaw. He scored his first goal on 25 July, closing a 6–0 home win over Caernarfon Town in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League in injury time.
Gonçalves featured 60 minutes of the 4–3 victory against Pogoń Szczecin in the final of the Polish Cup.
Maribor On 6 July 2026, Gonçalves moved to NK Maribor on a two-year deal.
International career Gonçalves won the second of his five caps for the Portugal under-20 team during the 2014 Toulon Tournament, featuring the full 90 minutes in the 2–0 group stage win over Mexico.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAjaccio B2012–13Championnat National 3210————2102013–14Championnat National 320————202015–16Championnat National 351————51Total281————281Ajaccio2013–14Ligue 12301000——2402014–15Ligue 22702030——3202015–16Ligue 22502020——290Total7505050——850Tondela2016–17Primeira Liga2801010——3002017–18Primeira Liga2500010——260Total5301020——560Troyes2018–19Ligue 21500010——160Gil Vicente2019–20Primeira Liga2411020——2712020–21Primeira Liga3324100——373Total5735120——644Ludogorets Razgrad2021–22First Professional League27020—140104402022–23First Professional League19150—40002812023–24First Professional League28150—16000491Total742120—340101212Ludogorets Razgrad II2022–23Second Professional League30————30Legia Warsaw2024–25Ekstraklasa20110—111—3222025–26Ekstraklasa7010—5000130Total27120—16100452Career total3327251100501104189
Honours Ludogorets Razgrad First Professional Football League: 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24 Bulgarian Cup: 2022–23 Bulgarian Supercup: 2021
Legia Warsaw Polish Cup: 2024–25
References
External links