Career
Football Club Nürnberg in 2. Bundesliga. In his youth, Hovland played for the local clubs Vadheim Illinois and Illinois Høyang, before joining Sogndal in 2007. During the warm-up to the opening match of the 2009 season against Hønefoss, Hovland broke his foot, and missed almost the entire season.
In 2009–2010, Hovland was on trial at Manchester United, but was not offered a contract.
Hovland joined Molde ahead of the 2012-season. In the 2012-2013 Union of European Football Associations Champions League qualifying match against Basel, Hovland was injured and had to leave the pitch after 25 minutes.
The knee-injury kept him out of play for the rest of the 2012-season. On 14 June 2014, Molde FK announced that Hovland had signed a three year deal with German club 1.
Football Club Nürnberg.
Hovland was named in Norway"s squad for the EURO 2012 qualification match against Cyprus on 11 October 2011, because Brede Hangeland was suspended due to yellow cards.
Hovland made his debut for the senior team in a 1–1 friendly draw against Denmark on 15 January 2012. The day before Norway"s friendly against Northern Ireland on 29 February 2012, Hovland was again called up for Norway as a replacement for Brede Hangeland, but because Hovland had played a pre-season match with Molde in Spain the same day he withdrew from the national team squad.