Quick Facts
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Biography
Hugo Novoa Ramos (born 24 January 2003) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a right-back or a winger for La Liga club Deportivo Alavés.
Club career
RB Leipzig
Born in the village of Bertamiráns in Ames, Galicia, Novoa was formed at local Bertamiráns FC and Deportivo de La Coruña. In 2019, he turned down interest from Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Valencia CF to join RB Leipzig.
In May 2020, having contributed five goals and eight assists to 18 games for Leipzig's under-17 team, he was moved to first-team training for the following season. On 13 August, he had his first call-up to the first team under manager Julian Nagelsmann, remaining unused for a 2–1 win over Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
On 23 August 2021, Novoa made his debut in the Bundesliga as an 85th-minute substitute for Christopher Nkunku, and three minutes later scored the last goal of a 4–1 home win over SpVgg Greuther Fürth with the first touch of his professional career. He became the youngest goalscorer for Leipzig, beating Joshua Kimmich by a month. The following 21 January, he extended his contract by two year until 2024, and two days later he made his first start in a 2–0 home win over VfL Wolfsburg.
Loan to Basel
On 4 January 2023, Novoa extended his contract with Leipzig until June 2025, and subsequently joined Swiss side Basel until the end of the 2023–24 season. He joined Basel's first team during the winter break of their 2022–23 season under head coach Alex Frei. After playing in two test games, Novoa played his domestic league debut for the club, coming on in the 71st minute, during the away game in the Kybunpark on 22 January as Basel played a 1–1 draw with St. Gallen. The loan was terminated early at the end of the 2022–23 season and Novoa returned to Leipzig with the club planning to send him on a new loan elsewhere.
Loan to Utrecht
On 1 September 2023, Novoa moved on a new loan to FC Utrecht in the Netherlands. At the club, he was converted into a right-back.
Loan to Villarreal
In January 2024, Novoa joined Segunda División club Villarreal CF B on loan for the remainder of the season with an option-to-buy.
Alavés
In July 2024, Novoa joined La Liga club Deportivo Alavés on a five-year contract.
International career
Novoa is a youth international for Spain, having represented the under-16, under-17, under-19 and under-21 teams.
Career statistics
- As of match played 2 March 2024
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| RB Leipzig | 2019–20 | Bundesliga | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020–21 | Bundesliga | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2021–22 | Bundesliga | 8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 1 | |
| 2022–23 | Bundesliga | 7 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 1 | |
| 2023–24 | Bundesliga | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 15 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 23 | 2 | ||
| Basel (loan) | 2022–23 | Swiss Super League | 12 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 17 | 1 | |
| Utrecht (loan) | 2023–24 | Eredivisie | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 6 | 0 | ||
| Villarreal B (loan) | 2023–24 | Segunda División | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | |||
| Career total | 34 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 48 | 3 | ||
Honours
RB Leipzig
- DFB-Pokal: 2021–22
- DFL-Supercup: 2023
