Hugo Faria


Hugo Miguel da Encarnação Pires Faria is a Portuguese former footballer who played as a midfielder, and a current first-team coach at English club A.F.C. Bournemouth.

Club career

Born in São Brás de Alportel, Faro District, Faria played youth football for three clubs, including FC Porto from ages 16–18. He started his senior career with Louletano DC, with which he spent three seasons in the third division.
Faria moved straight to the Primeira Liga in the summer of 2004, signing with U.D. Leiria. He made his debut as a professional on 7 November, coming on as a late substitute in a 1–0 away win against Académica de Coimbra; it would be the first of only two league appearances during the season.
From 2008 to 2013, Faria competed in the Cypriot First Division, always with Enosis Neon Paralimni FC. For the following campaign he joined AEL Kalloni FC, starting in 19 games to help his team finish 12th in the Super League Greece.
Faria split 2014–15 with Valletta F.C. from Malta and Apollon Smyrni F.C. in the Greek second level. He signed for Livingston on 19 August 2015, agreeing to a five-month contract after a successful trial. His maiden appearance in the Scottish Championship took place only three days later, as he played the full 90 minutes and was booked in a 1–2 home defeat to Falkirk.
Faria left Livingston in January 2016, and signed for Airdrieonians also in the country shortly after. In December, he left the latter in order to return to Portugal.
On 8 November 2018, immediately after retiring following a spell in the Portuguese third tier with Louletano, the 35-year-old Faria was appointed first-team coach at English Premier League club A.F.C. Bournemouth.

International career

Faria represented Portugal at under-20 level, earning his first cap on 5 February 2003 in a 5–2 friendly victory over the Czech Republic in Elvas. He represented the country in the 2004 edition of the Toulon Tournament, scoring an own goal in a 0–1 group stage defeat against Sweden.

Club statistics