Pelayo Novo facts for kids
![]() Pelayo as an Elche player
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Personal information | |||
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Full name | Pelayo Novo García | ||
Date of birth | 1 November 1990 | ||
Place of birth | Oviedo, Spain | ||
Date of death | 28 February 2023 | (aged 32)||
Place of death | Oviedo, Spain | ||
Height | 1.85 m | ||
Playing position | Midfielder | ||
Youth career | |||
2006–2009 | Oviedo | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
2007–2009 | Oviedo B | 6 | (3) |
2008–2012 | Oviedo | 94 | (14) |
2012–2017 | Elche | 78 | (7) |
2013–2014 | → Córdoba (loan) | 24 | (1) |
2014–2015 | → Lugo (loan) | 14 | (4) |
2017 | CFR Cluj | 0 | (0) |
2017–2018 | Albacete | 2 | (0) |
Total | 218 | (29) | |
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Pelayo Novo García (born November 1, 1990 – died February 28, 2023), known simply as Pelayo, was a Spanish professional footballer. He played as a midfielder, a player who helps both defense and attack.
Pelayo played in 116 matches in the Segunda División, which is Spain's second-highest football league. He scored 12 goals for teams like Elche, Córdoba, Lugo, and Albacete. In 2018, he had an accident that caused him to become paralyzed, meaning he could no longer move parts of his body. After this, he started playing wheelchair tennis until he passed away at age 32.
Contents
Pelayo's Football Journey
Starting with Real Oviedo
Pelayo was born in Oviedo, Asturias, Spain. He started his football career with his hometown team, Real Oviedo. He played his first few seasons as a senior player in the Segunda División B. This league is the third level of Spanish football.
In his last season with Real Oviedo, from 2011 to 2012, Pelayo scored seven goals in 34 games. His efforts helped the team finish in sixth place in the league.
Moving to Elche CF
On July 6, 2012, Pelayo signed a three-year contract with Elche CF. This team played in the Segunda División, the second-highest league in Spain. He played his first official game for Elche on August 19. He came into the game as a substitute in the last few minutes. Elche won that home game 4–2 against SD Ponferradina.
Pelayo scored his first goal in the league on October 6. His goal helped Elche win 2–1 away from home against CD Mirandés.
Loan Spells and New Teams
In July 2013, Pelayo signed a new two-year deal with Elche. Right after that, he was loaned out to Córdoba CF. This meant he played for Córdoba for a season while still belonging to Elche.
On July 29, 2014, he moved to another second-tier team, CD Lugo, on loan until June 30 of the next year.
In June 2017, after Elche was moved down to a lower league, Pelayo, who was 26 years old, played outside of Spain for the first time. He joined CFR Cluj, a team in Romania's top league, Liga I. However, he ended his contract with Cluj on August 28 and then signed a two-year deal with Albacete Balompié back in Spain.
Accident and Retirement
On March 31, 2018, Pelayo had an accident that caused him to become permanently paralyzed. Because of this, he had to retire from professional football.
Life After Football and Passing
Personal Life and New Beginnings
Pelayo earned a degree in industrial technical engineering. In June 2022, he married Iciar López. Together, they started a business that groomed dogs in his hometown of Oviedo.
Wheelchair Tennis and Legacy
After his accident, Pelayo found a new passion in wheelchair tennis. He became a regional champion in 2021. He also joined the board of the Asturian Tennis Federation, helping to guide tennis in his region.
Pelayo passed away on February 28, 2023, at the age of 32. He was hit by a train at a railway station in Oviedo.
See also
In Spanish: Pelayo Novo para niños
- Francesc Arnau