João Carlos scored his first senior goal on 26 January 2020, netting the equalizer in a 3–2 away loss to Juventus Jaraguá.[3] Regularly used during the 2020 Campeonato Catarinense, he lost his space afterwards, and was loaned to Marcílio Dias on 9 March 2022.[4]
João Carlos helped the Marinheiro to win the 2022 Copa Santa Catarina,[5] and returned to Tigre in January 2023.[6] On 30 January 2024, after being mainly a backup option as the club achieved promotion to the Série A, he renewed his contract until 2025.[7]