Charlie Hughes (footballer, born 2003)

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Charlie Hughes
Charlie Hughes 2024 (cropped).jpg
Hughes in 2024
Personal information
Full name Charles Roger Hughes [1]
Date of birth (2003-10-16) 16 October 2003 (age 21)
Place of birth Golborne, England
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Ginas bed
Number 16
Youth career
2009–2013 Manchester City
2013–2017 Liverpool
2017–2023 Wigan Athletic
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2022–2024 Wigan Athletic 58 (5)
2024–2025 Hull City 29 (1)
International career‡
2023– England U20 4 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 19:34, 17 August 2025 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals as of 08:24, 14 June 2024 (UTC)

Charles Roger Hughes (born 16 October 2003) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for

Contents

Career

Wigan Athletic

Hughes is a youth product of Manchester City and Liverpool, and moved to the youth academy of Wigan Athletic in 2017 as a U14. He was captain of their U18 side in the 2021–22 season. [2] On 7 September 2021, he signed his first professional contract with the club. [3] He made his professional debut with Wigan Athletic in a 1–0 EFL Trophy win over the Arsenal U21s on 25 January 2022. [4] Hughes made his League debut on Boxing Day 2022 at the Riverside Stadium against Middlesbrough. He remained in the side for the remainder of the season, making 20 league appearances, and scoring his first professional goal on 29 April 2023 against Reading. [5] Hughes signed a new four-and-a-half-year contract in February 2023, [6] and then signed an improved deal a few months later, extending his contract until 2028. [7] Hughes first captained the side on 8 August 2023, aged 19, for the Carabao Cup game v Wrexham and has since led the team out on many occasions throughout the season including the FA Cup 3rd round game against Manchester United. Nominated EFL Young Player of the Year 2023–24 after a stand out season.

Hull City

On 16 August 2024, Hughes signed a four-year deal with Hull City. [8] He made his debut for the Tigers on 5 October, when he came off the bench as a half-time substitute for Sean McLoughlin in the 0–4 loss away to Norwich City. [9] Hughes scored his first goal for the Tigers on 5 April 2025, with a last-minute header to secure a 1–0 win away at Sheffield Wednesday. [10] On 6 May, Hull announced that the defender had won both the club's Young Player of the Season award and their Goal of the Season award, the latter for his goal against Wednesday. [11]

Ahead of the 2025–26 campaign, Hughes became vice-captain to Lewie Coyle, replacing the outgoing Alfie Jones. [12]

International career

In November 2023, Hughes received his maiden international call up and made his England U20 debut during a 3–0 defeat to Italy at the Eco-Power Stadium. [13] Hughes was capped again for the U20s on 7 June 2024 when he captained the side against Sweden U21, followed by 70 minutes against the Republic of Ireland U21s four days later.

Playing style

Hughes is a commanding ball-playing centre-back, who can also play in midfield. He is extremely comfortable in possession with an exceptional passing range. Strong in defence and exhibits strong leadership qualities, having captained the Wigan side on several occasions from 19 years old and for most of the 2023–24 season. [14]

Honours

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "EFL – Squad List 2022/23" (PDF). EFL. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  2. ↑ Wylie, Jack (8 September 2021). "Hughes Commits Future To Latics". League Football Education (LFE).
  3. ↑ "Charlie Hughes signs professional contract". Wigan Athletic F.C. 7 September 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  4. ↑ "Live Commentary – Wigan vs Arsenal U21 – 25.01.2022". Sky Sports. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  5. ↑ "Match Report – Reading FC 1 Latics 1". Wigan Athletic F.C. 29 April 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  6. ↑ "Wigan Athletic secure long-term future of another gem from the Academy". Wigan Today. 21 February 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  7. ↑ "Charlie Hughes: Wigan Athletic midfielder signs improved deal". BBC Sport. 29 June 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  8. ↑ "Hull City complete Hughes signing". Hull City A.F.C. 16 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  9. ↑ "Norwich City 4–0 Hull City". BBC Sport. 5 October 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2024.
  10. ↑ "Sheffield Wednesday 0–1 Hull City". BBC Sport. 5 April 2025. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  11. 1 2 3 "Hull City Awards 2024/25: Round-Up". Hull City A.F.C. 6 May 2025. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  12. ↑ "Hull City's Sergej Jakirovic questions Coventry City actions amid Charlie Hughes transfer interest". Hull Daily Mail. 7 August 2025. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  13. ↑ "Report: England Elite League squad 0–3 Italy". Englandfootball.com. 16 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  14. ↑ "Charlie Hughes". Wigan Athletic F.C. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
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