Following a performance for Varaždin against Lokomotiva in which he scored a goal and won a penalty, 24-year-old Cape Verde international winger Iuri Tavares attracted attention from scouts. Representatives from Betis and Groningen subsequently came to observe him during a match against Vukovar 1991. In the current 2025/2026 SuperSport HNL season, he has made 13 appearances, contributing 2 goals and 3 assists. Tavares joined Varaždin in July 2025 and is under contract until May 2028. His current market value is estimated by Transfermarkt to be €800k.