Melbourne City FC has secured the services of former Fulham
defender Aaron Hughes for ahead of the Hyundai A-League 2015/16 season.
The 35-year-old Northern Ireland international joins the
club on a one-year deal and commenced pre-season training with his teammates at
the City Football Academy in Melbourne on Monday.
Hughes is the City’s fifth signing ahead of the new season,
following Socceroos defender Ivan Franjic, Steve Kuzmanovski, Corey Gameiro and
Harry Novillo, who recently signed a permanent deal.
A versatile defender, who can play in any position across
the back four, Hughes began his career at English Premier League club Newcastle
United, making 279 appearances in all competitions after making his debut as an
18-year-old.
Boasting a wealth of experience in English football with
spells at Aston Villa, Queens Park Rangers and Brighton & Hove Albion,
Hughes enjoyed a successful six and a half-year spell with Fulham and was an
integral part in the club’s run to the UEFA Europa League final in 2010.
Since making his international debut in 1999, Hughes has
since earned 96 caps for Northern Ireland - the second most in the nation’s
history – and captained the side between 2003 and 2011.
Melbourne City FC coach John van’t Schip says Hughes’ vast
experience at the top level will provide a welcome boost to the Club’s
defensive stocks.
“Aaron is an extremely experienced professional and is an
excellent addition to our squad,” van’t Schip said.
“He brings with him a vast amount of Premier League and
international experience which will be of great benefit to the team and his
qualities will greatly strengthen our defence."
Hughes acknowledged the influence of former team-mate Damien
Duff when deciding to join the club, and is hoping to help the team improve of
last season’s Semi-Final finish.
“I played a few years with Damien Duff [at Fulham] and he
spoke highly of not just the club but the people as well and said the whole
experience was fantastic,” Hughes said.
“I just want to come in here and have a good season, be
solid and contribute what I can to the team. Hopefully we can improve and go
even further this year.”
Player Details
Aaron Hughes
DOB: 08/11/1979 (35 years-old)
Place of birth: Cookstown, Northern Ireland
Position: Defender
Clubs (Appearances, Goals): Newcastle United (205, 4), Aston
Villa (54,0), Fulham (196,1), Queens Park Rangers (11,0) Brighton & Hove
Albion (10, 0)
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