In 2019, after a brief period in the under-20 side of América de Teófilo Otoni, João Vitor joined Coritiba's youth setup. On 3 August 2020, he renewed his contract with the latter club until December 2022.[1]
João Vitor made his first team debut for Coxa on 25 July 2021, coming on as a second-half substitute for Rafinha in a 1–0 Série B away loss against Operário Ferroviário.[2] On 20 October, in only his second match as a professional, he scored his side's third in a 3–0 home win over Sampaio Corrêa.[3]