Hugo's debut was a strange affair and was almost postponed but for his transfer fax approval to come through with only 5 minutes to spare before the deadline to play against Liverpool on 28th January 2009.

His debut almost became a stunning one when he came on as a substitute and then hit the crossbar with a powerful strike from a free-kick.

Hugo has demostrated that he has a eye for goal and has at time in his maintained staggering goals to game ratios. In 2004 while at Deportes Quindo his tally was just short of a goal a game  scoring 31 time in 32 appearances for the Colombian club. With Deportivo Cali in 2005, his tally was 12 in 26

On his arrival in México, he played with Club de Fútbol Monterrey in the first season of 2006 in which he ended without much glory. He was then loaned to club F.C. Atlas where he played the rest of 2006. In 2007 he moved to Necaxa.

It was at Necaxa where he attracted the attention of Steve Bruce and where his goals tally once again became nothing short of impressive. His 25 goals in 53 games earned him a switch to Latics and a crack at the English Premier League.

Rodallega's international debut was in a friendly against Venezuela. Certainly his most bizarre international appearance came when he briefly played in goal, during Colombia's final tournament game at the Copa America 2007. First choice goalkeeper Robinson Zapata was given a red card and Colombia had no more available substitutes, Hugo was able to complete the game with Colombia winning 1-0.