Blasters sign Hughes as marquee player

Known as a cultured defender, Hughes is the most capped outfield player in Northern Ireland’s history and has captained Northern Ireland on forty-six occasions to date after his first captaincy in April 2002. After having played for U16, U18 and ‘B’ level, his debut in international football came in March 1998 against Slovakia, and he has since earned 103 caps for Northern Ireland. A dramatic debut with Newcastle United FC at the age of 18 in 1997 lead to 278 appearances for the Magpies before moving to Aston Villa FC for two seasons. This was followed by a very successful seven years at Fulham and later brief stints with Queens Park Rangers, Brighton & Hove Albion and Melbourne City. Hughes played his part in the recently concluded Euro 2016 too.