Ailson Tavares swaps Israel for Portugal in Chaves midfield move

Cape Verdean-Portuguese midfielder Ailson Tavares has joined Chaves from B. Jerusalem, returning to Portugal after one season in Israel.

The 28-year-old defensive midfielder completed the move on 4 September 2026, with Chaves competing in Liga Portugal 2. The transfer fee has not been disclosed.

Tavares leaves B. Jerusalem after joining the Israeli club from Felgueiras on a free transfer in July 2025. He did not make an appearance in the 2026-27 Ligat ha’Al or UEFA Conference League qualifying campaigns before moving to Chaves.

Born in Praia, Cape Verde, Tavares holds Cape Verdean and Portuguese nationality. He stands at 1.88m and is right-footed, with defensive midfield his primary position.

His arrival takes him back into Portuguese football after a season away. Before moving to Israel, Tavares spent the 2024-25 campaign with Felgueiras, having joined the club from Coimbra on a free transfer.

His career in Portugal also includes spells with Anadia, Torreense, BC Branco and Alcanenense. He joined Torreense from BC Branco in 2019 and was part of the club’s Portuguese Third Division title-winning campaign in 2021-22.

Tavares subsequently left Torreense in July 2022 and was without a club before joining Anadia in March 2023. He moved to Coimbra the following season before switching to Felgueiras in July 2024.

Chaves have now added an experienced Portuguese-league midfielder with a playing background across several levels of the domestic game. His previous move to B. Jerusalem was completed without a transfer fee, while his latest switch brings him back to Portugal.

The move was recorded on 4 September 2026, and Tavares is now a Chaves player.