After starting out at Nacional, he went on to spend the vast majority of his career in the English Championship, with Sheffield Wednesday, Blackburn Rovers and Reading.

Born in Lisbon of Angolan descent,[3] Lucas João started playing football with amateurs Beira Mar Atlético Clube Almada.

On 31 July 2015, Lucas João joined former teammate Marco Matias at English club Sheffield Wednesday, agreeing to a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

[13] Lucas João joined Reading on 6 August 2019, on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee three days after scoring against them at the service of Sheffield Wednesday.

[17] On 17 May 2023, after refusing to travel with the squad for their last away fixture of the campaign after relegation was confirmed,[18] Reading announced that Lucas João would leave the Madejski Stadium at the end of his contract.