Tavares soon established himself in the team and among the fans. In the next season, he was entitled Slovenian champion with Maribor. He was the top scorer for Maribor and second in the Slovenian PrvaLiga with 15 goals, and was named the best player in the Slovenian PrvaLiga for the 2008–09 season. He also received the Guest Star 2008 prize, which purpose is to promote foreign public as an important element of Slovenian community. In the 2009–10 season, he scored ten goals in 34 league matches. In addition to this achievement he scored five goals in five cup matches and ultimately won the 2009–10 Slovenian Cup. Because of his loyalty to the club and good relations with fellow players, club officials and Maribor fans, Tavares became the team's captain in October 2009.