After starting out at Sporting CP, he moved abroad at the age of 19, going on to have unassuming spells in England (Newcastle United) and Spain (Valencia) before settling back in his country with Braga. He amassed Primeira Liga totals of 165 matches and 23 goals over six seasons.
On 20 June 2002, 19-year-old Viana was signed by Newcastle United from the Premier League for €12 million (£8.5 million),[3][4][2] his transfer fee becoming a record for the Magpies for a teenager by surpassing the £5 million paid to Nottingham Forest for England under-21 international Jermaine Jenas. The transfer was also a record for a player of his age, breaking the 1999 record held by Robbie Keane;[4] Newcastle invested heavily in young players in that year, and chairman Freddie Shepherd reasoned by claiming consensus that he was the best young player in the world of football.[4] The signing was also the first major deal between Portuguese agent Jorge Mendes and an English club.[5]
Viana was unable to cement a starting position, as Speed – for whom Robson saw the Portuguese as a future replacement – was not declining with age, while Kieron Dyer, Jenas and Laurent Robert were also in form.[5] He returned to Sporting on loan in July 2004.[11] He found his old form and enjoyed a successful spell, even helping the Lions to the final of the UEFA Cup.[12]
Valencia
Viana moved to Valencia at the start of 2005–06, again on loan. In March 2006, reports stated that he had been signed on a permanent deal for £1.5 million.[13] During his first season he struggled to claim a first-team spot, facing tough competition from the likes of David Albelda and Rubén Baraja, manager Quique Sánchez Flores' preferred duo;[14][15] still, he featured in 19 league games, and displayed some flashes of talent that allowed him to preserve his place in the Portugal national squad.
In a bid to secure first-team football, Viana decided to join fellow La Liga side Osasuna on loan, on 13 July 2007.[16] However, a serious injury during pre-season forced him out for four months.[17] After recovering, he played all of the last three matches, helping to a narrow escape from relegation.[18]
On 31 July 2009, Viana was loaned to Braga for one season, thus returning to Portugal after three years.[20][21] As they led the league in its early stages, he scored his first goals upon returning to his country, hitting twice in a 3–1 home win over Belenenses on 30 August.[22] On 31 October, he again found the net, from a free kick against Benfica in a 2–0 home victory where he received player of the match accolades.[23] The Minho side eventually finished in a best-ever second place, losing the title to precisely this team in the last matchday, with the player making 28 appearances (six as a reserve, he lost his importance after the return of Uruguayan Luis Aguiar on loan).[24]
Viana regained his starting position in 2010–11 under the same manager, Domingos Paciência, as Aguiar eventually leaving the club. On 6 March 2011, again from a direct free kick and against Benfica, he equalised for the hosts in an eventual 2–1 home win.[25] He added nine games (all starts) in Braga's UEFA Europa League runner-up run.[26]
On 27 November 2011, in a game against Porto, Viana displayed a white T-shirt with the words 'Gary – Rest In Peace', in a tribute to Speed, who had committed suicide earlier that day.[27]
Viana agreed to a deal with Al-Wasl of the same city and league, but the transfer was one of several declared void by the UAE Football Association for missing the 3 October 2014 deadline. It was completed the following 19 January.[30] He retired on 13 October 2016, aged 33.[31]
Director
In May 2017, Viana was appointed director of football at Belenenses. He left his post six months later.[32]
Viana returned to Sporting in 2018, in the same capacity.[33][34] In August 2021, he was suspended for 15 days and fined €2,295 for insulting the refereeing team after a game against Famalicão held four months earlier.[35]
Viana then returned to the senior side, and scored his only international goal on 12 October 2005 to conclude a 3–0 home win over Latvia in 2006 FIFA World Cupqualification;[41] he appeared in two matches – both as a substitute – as the team came fourth at the finals in Germany.[42][43] He was called as a last-minute replacement for injured Carlos Martins to the Euro 2012 squad, with the team already in training camp;[44] he was unused in a run to the semi-finals but ended a five-year international exile in a pre-tournament friendly against Macedonia.[45]
Style of play
Viana was known for his range of passing and his control of the ball, as well as for taking powerful shots from distance, including from free kicks. Conversely, his ability to contribute equally to defence was criticised by pundits.[5][46] His comparative lack of pace meant that he struggled when placed on the left wing due to Newcastle's strength in central midfield.[6] Charlie Woods, the scout who recommended him to the club, reflected in 2020 that he played like Mesut Özil.[5]
Personal life
Viana married Raquel Gomes in a Catholic ceremony in Orada, Albufeira in June 2003.[47] The marriage produced two daughters and a son.[48]
In 2004, Viana lost his wedding ring on Newcastle Town Moor, but it was returned by a young fan due to the name engraved onto it.[49]
Career statistics
Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[50]
^Geraldo, Inês (13 October 2016). "Hugo Viana termina carreira" [Hugo Viana finishes career] (in Portuguese). Rádio e Televisão de Portugal. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
^"Hugo Viana nos sub-21 falha Euro 2004" [Hugo Viana to the under-21s misses Euro 2004]. Correio da Manhã (in Portuguese). 17 May 2004. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
^"Hugo Viana disse "sim"" [Hugo Viana said "yes"]. Record (in Portuguese). 29 June 2003. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
^Oliveira, Sara (24 May 2012). "Raquel e Hugo Viana adiam batizado do filho" [Raquel and Hugo Viana postpone son's baptism]. Diário de Notícias (in Portuguese). Retrieved 13 October 2021.