Born in Surrey and raised in Derby, Hughes became a scholar with Derby County in 2011, and made his senior debut against Peterborough United aged only 16. He became a regular part of the Rams’ senior squad in 12/13, having been named Scholar of the Year the previous season, and netted his first professional goal in September 2012 against Watford.
After signing a new contract, Hughes was named Football League Young Player of the Month for November and collected Derby’s Sammy Crooks Young Player of the Season award at the end of the season. The following campaign, 2013/14, he earned a spot in the PFA Championship Team of the Year. He continued to play regularly and with success for Derby, eventually leaving the Rams for Watford with 187 appearances to his name.
Hughes made his Premier League debut with Watford in 2017 and helped the Hornets reach the FA Cup final and maintain top-flight football for three seasons. Following Watford’s relegation in 2020, Hughes played a central role in their promotion campaign the next season.
He played 30 times in the league for Watford, helping to ensure a second-place finish. In the FA Cup final, he played 73 minutes on the right-wing, showing his ability to cover multiple midfield spots.
Hughes has represented England at Under-17 and Under-21 levels, being fast-tracked to a more senior squad after just 11 months with the U17s.
He helped the Young Lions win the Algarve Tournament in February 2012 by playing three out of three matches and netted his first goal against the Netherlands.
He was then on standby for England Under-19s in August 2012, but never played for the side. Instead, he made an Under-21s debut aged just 17. In doing so, he became the second youngest England Under-21 behind Theo Walcott.
He went on to collect 23 caps for England Under-21s, earning six with the U17s.
Uniquely for an Englishman, Hughes’ style of play has often been compared with the Spanish midfielders who were at their peak as he broke through. He’s said himself that Xavi and Andres Iniesta are role models and former manager Javi Gracia called him “more of a typical Spanish player”.
Hughes signed a three-year deal in south London in 2021. After notching two assists in December 2021, Hughes won the club's Player of the Month award and Man of the Match for his performance in a 3-0 win over Norwich City. His first goal in red and blue rounded off the 4-0 FA Cup sixth round triumph over Everton at Selhurst Park to send Palace to Wembley.
He notched his first Premier League goal for the club on the final day of the 2022/23 season, a header against Nottingham Forest at the Holmesdale Road End.
In 2023/24, Hughes was a regular in the side as he made 33 appearances in total.
In December 2024, he marked his 100th Crystal Palace appearance with a 3-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium.
He continued to be a regular in the squad as the 24/25 campaign went on, making 41 appearances in all competitions and registering five assists. Hughes came on late on in the FA Cup final against Manchester City, shoring up the midfield in place of Adam Wharton, to help the side over the line as they made history under the arch at Wembley.
Fresh from that success, Hughes remained a key figure in 2025/26 as Palace competed in Europe for the first time and across four fronts overall.
His leadership and experience proved more valuable than ever, with his influence recognised in January when he was named one of the club’s vice-captains and voted Player of the Month following a series of impressive all-round displays.
The midfielder went on to make 48 appearances in all competitions, playing an important role in helping the side navigate a demanding schedule and see out a number of crucial results during a campaign that ultimately ended with Palace lifting the UEFA Conference League.
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