Aaron Hughes

Football player infobox
playername = Aaron Hughes


fullname = Aaron William Hughes
height = height|ft=6|in=0
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1979|11|8
cityofbirth = Cookstown
countryofbirth = Northern Ireland
currentclub = Fulham
clubnumber = 18
position = Defender
youthyears = 1996–1997
youthclubs = Newcastle United
years = 1997–2005
2005–2007
2007–
clubs = Newcastle United
Aston Villa
Fulham
caps(goals) = 205 (4)
054 (0)
031 (0)
nationalyears = 1998–
nationalteam = Northern Ireland
nationalcaps(goals) = 059 (0)
pcupdate = 14:42, 19 August 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate = 16:12, 22 August 2008 (UTC)

Aaron William Hughes (born November 8, 1979) is a Northern Irish footballer who plays for Fulham. Hughes can play centre back, right back or left back, he is also able to play anywhere in midfield. He is usually employed in a centre half for his club and country, and is the current Northern Ireland captain.

Club career

Newcastle United

Born in Cookstown, County Tyrone, Hughes came through the Newcastle United ranks to become a regular in the Newcastle starting eleven. He made his first team début in the Camp Nou in a match between Newcastle and Barcelona on November 26, 1997. His league début came against Sheffield Wednesday later in the same season. His first team appearances after this were few and far between, yet he had established himself in the team by the 1999–2000 season. During his time on Tyneside, Hughes appeared 279 times for the Magpies in all competitions and scored seven goals.

Aston Villa

On May 20, 2005 Hughes was sold to fellow Premier League side Aston Villa for a fee of £1m. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aston_villa/4558727.stm Hughes completes switch to Villa] ] During his time in the West Midlands, he made 64 appearances in all competitions for his club.

Fulham

On June 27, 2007 Hughes was announced as a new signing for Premier League side Fulham.

Hughes was quoted as saying "I’m delighted to be joining Fulham and am looking forward to working with Lawrie Sanchez at club level. I enjoyed my time at Aston Villa but when this opportunity presented itself I had no hesitation in coming to discuss the Manager’s ambitions for the Club, which obviously were of great interest to me. I’m happy to have signed before the start of pre-season, which gives me the opportunity of being with the lads on day one, when we come back to training next week." [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/6246724.stm NI skipper Hughes in Fulham move] ] He has worn the captain's armband in the absence of Brian McBride through injury.

International career

He made his Northern Ireland début on March 25, 1998 against Slovakia and on April 17, 2002 he was awarded the captaincy of his country on his 24th cap against Spain in Belfast. He has been regular captain (when fit) since 2003, leading the team in notable wins over England, Spain and Sweden. With Hughes injured, Fulham teammate Chris Baird was given the honour of captaining Northern Ireland for Nigel Worthington's first games as manager.

Trivia

* Hughes was awarded the number 18 shirt by Ruud Gullit at the start of the 1999/2000 season while at Newcastle. Since then he has never worn another number at club level. Even at international level he has worn the number since 2002.

References

External links

*soccerbase|id=10516|name=Aaron Hughes