Xeka

Lille On 31 January 2017, Xeka was loaned to Lille OSC from Ligue 1 until June. He made his debut four days later as a starter in a 1–0 home loss to FC Lorient. He made 13 appearances for the 12th-place team and scored in a 3–0 win at Montpellier HSC on 29 April, assisted by compatriot Rony Lopes.

In June 2017, Lille exercised the €5 million buyout clause to make Xeka's move permanent. In the last hours of the summer transfer window, he joined Dijon FCO in the same league in a season-long loan. He became a regular under Christophe Galtier at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy the following year, but suffered a thigh injury in a 5–1 home victory over Paris Saint-Germain FC on 14 April 2019, ruling him out until September.

Xeka contributed 33 matches and one goal during the 2020–21 campaign to help Lille win the national championship for the fourth time in their history. On 1 August 2021, he scored in the 1–0 defeat of PSG in the Trophée des Champions, with the club winning that trophy for the first time ever.

On 20 May 2022, Xeka was released at the end of his contract.

Rennes On 21 September 2022, Xeka agreed to a two-year deal at Stade Rennais F.C. also of the French top tier. He made his debut on 9 October, starting in a 3–0 home win over Derby Breton rivals FC Nantes. In January, he had ankle surgery.

Xeka left Roazhon Park by mutual consent on 10 August 2023, with only nine matches to his name.

Later career On 1 May 2024, Al Sadd SC of the Qatar Stars League signed Xeka as a replacement for the injured Guilherme Torres. On 15 August, having made no appearances, he moved to G.D. Estoril Praia on a one-year contract.

Xeka then spent nearly one year on the sidelines, due to a serious knee injury contracted in April 2025.

International career Xeka earned one cap for Portugal at under-20 level on 5 February 2014, in a 2–0 friendly win over Slovakia under-21 in Marinha Grande. He played the final ten minutes as a substitute for Tomás Podstawski.

Career statistics

Honours Lille Ligue 1: 2020–21 Trophée des Champions: 2021