Biography
Peruvian stalwart defender Nobby Solano had already enjoyed a much-decorated career when he joined the Tigers in July 2010, following his manager Nigel Pearson from Leicester to Hull. He began the season in the first eleven but was soon reduced to a support role and he left the Tigers in May 2011.
Solano was born in Callao, Peru’s largest Pacific sea port, and had began his career at Sporting Cristal and Deportivo Municipal, both clubs located in capital city Lima. At the age of 22 Solano signed for Boca Juniors in Argentina, and a year later he made another big move when he switched to Newcastle United. Solano spent six years at St James’ Park and to this day is regarded as a treasured cult figure by Magpies fans. After a short spell at Aston Villa, Nobby returned to the Toon in 2005 for two further seasons beside the Tyne. Further spells at West Ham, Greek side Larissa and Peruvian outfit Universitario followed, before Solano teamed up with Nigel Pearson’s Leicester in 2010.
Solano enjoyed a further season at Hartlepool United once he left Hull City before his illustrious playing career came to an end. He cut his coaching teeth with an eclectic selection of teams – non-league Geordie outfit Newcastle Benfield, Peruvian sides Universitario de Desportes and Jose Galvez, and short-lived Canadian side Internacional de Toronto. In December 2017 Solano was appointed assistant manager to the Peru senior international side, helping his native country’s campaign to reach the 2018 World Cup Finals in Russia, leaving the role in June 2022. Between July and October 2023 Solano was manager at Swedish second tier side Eskilstuna. In May 2024 he was appointed first team manager at relegated National League North side Blyth Spartans, but just six matches into the 2024/25 season he was sacked due to poor results.
Solano is one of Peru’s most prominent internationals of all-time, to the extent that his wedding was shown live on Peruvian TV. He won 95 senior caps for his country, netting 20 goals. He is also an accomplished trumpet player – quite the polymath.
Details
Nationality: Peru
Date/Place of Birth: 12 December 1974, Callao (Peru)
Hull City First Game: 7 August 2010, Swansea City H (Championship), 35 years, 238 days old
Hull City Final Game: 5 February 2011, Scunthorpe United A (Championship), 36 years, 55 days old
Clubs
Sporting Cristal (1991-1993), Deportivo Municipal (1993), Sporting Cristal (1994-1997), Boca Juniors (1997-1998), Newcastle United (1998-2004), Aston Villa (2004-2005), Newcastle United (2005-2007), West Ham United (2007-2008), Larissa (2008), Universitario (2009), Leicester City (2010), Hull City (2010-2011), Hartlepool United (2011-2012)
Hull City Record
Career: 13 apps, 0 goals
Nolberto Solano| Season | LGE App | LGE Gls | FAC App | FAC Gls | FLC App | FLC Gls | EUR App | EUR Gls | OTH App | OTH Gls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010/11 | 6 (5) | 0 | 1 (0) | 0 | 1 (0) | 0 | - | - | - | - |