He amassed Primeira Liga totals of 174 matches and 17 goals over eight seasons, representing Farense, Belenenses, Boavista, Paços de Ferreira, Nacional and Gil Vicente.
Born in the Porto outskirts of Massarelos, Gouveia played youth football with five clubs, having two separate spells at Sport Clube Senhora da Hora.
On the last day of the 2000 January transfer window, Gouveia was loaned by Belenenses to Montpellier in the French Ligue 1, alongside teammate Rui Pataca.
[2] At the end of the campaign he returned to Portugal, joining Boavista;[3] he contributed eight substitute appearances in his first year, as the Chequereds won their only national championship.
[4] Gouveia moved to Nacional in summer 2002, proceeding to enjoy his most steady period and leaving after three top-flight seasons and competitive totals of 92 games and 12 goals.
[5] He signed with Gil Vicente on a free transfer on 7 June 2005[6] and, after appearing in just five matches in the first half of 2006–07, with the team again in the second tier, he joined Vizela of the same league.
[15] His first league match at the helm was at Rio Ave on the 28th (1–0 loss),[16] and he only managed to collect six wins until the end of the season, in an eventual return to the second tier after a 14-year stay.