Ricardo

Ricardo Jorge Novo is a goalkeeper of Académica. He was born on 6 July 1982 in Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal.

In 2001 Ricardo began playing professionally for Fradelos where he spent 2 years. He was a product of the Fradelos academy that’s why he needed time and close supervision before starting to play professional football on a regular basis. During two seasons the player was given a chance to show his talent which allowed him to draw the attention of some Portuguese clubs from higher divisions.

In the summer 2003 Novo sealed a deal with Varzim which played in the Liga de Honra which is the Portuguese second level football league. Ricardo was utilized as a second-choice goalkeeper. During four years he played for this team where he made 46 appearances and even contrived to kick a goal in one of the matches of the championship.

In 2007 Académica made Varzim an advantageous offer which the owner of Ricardo’s rights couldn’t refuse. In the summer 2007 the goalkeeper signed the third agreement in his career officially joining Académica. After the first season he was sent to the Portuguese outfit União Leiria where he featured in 16 games as a loan player. Having returned from loan, Ricardo continued to play for Académica as a second-choice goalkeeper.