Isaac Hughes (footballer)

Isaac Hughes

Hughes playing for the Wellington Phoenix in 2024.
Personal information
Full name	Isaac Robert Hughes [1]
Date of birth	(2004-03-25) 25 March 2004 (age 21) [1]
Place of birth	Warrington, England
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) [1]
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Wellington Phoenix
Number	15
Youth career
	Bolton Wanderers
	Crewe Alexandra
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2022–	Wellington Phoenix Reserves	42	(0)
2023–	Wellington Phoenix	33	(2)
International career‡
2022–2023	New Zealand U20	8	(1)
2023–	New Zealand U23	2	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 22 April 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 30 August 2023

Isaac Robert Hughes (born 25 March 2004) is an English-born, New Zealand footballer who plays for Wellington Phoenix.

Club career

Youth career

Hughes played for both the Bolton Wanderers and Crewe Alexandra academies before moving to New Zealand at the age of 9. ^{[2] [3]}

Wellington Phoenix

Hughes made his Wellington Phoenix debut on 27 August 2023 against Melbourne City in the Australia Cup as a second-half substitute. On 13 September 2023, Hughes signed a two-year contract with the first team after captaining the reserves side. ^{[4] [5] [6]} After 10 appearances for the Nix and one season, Hughes signed a three-year contract extension with the Wellington Phoenix, committing to the club through until the end of the 2027-28 A-League. ^[7]

International career

Hughes was selected for the New Zealand U20s in the 2022 OFC U-19 Championship. He made his debut against Cook Islands in the opening game. Hughes scored one goal in the tournament against Tahiti in the semi-finals. Hughes was also called up for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup where he started 3 of New Zealand's games. ^{[8] [4]}

Hughes made his debut for U23 on 23 March 2023 against China. He was selected in the squad for the 2023 OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament where he made one appearance. ^[9]

Hughes was selected for the OlyWhites Paris 2024 Olympics squad but did not make an appearance.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played on 27 April 2024. ^[10]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		Others		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Wellington Phoenix Reserves	2022	National League	24	0	—		—		24	0
	2023		17	0	—		—		17	0
	2024		1	0	0	0	—		1	0
	Total		42	0	0	0	—		42	0
Wellington Phoenix	2023–24	A-League Men	10	0	1	0	0	0	11	0
	2024–25		24	2	1	0	0	0	25	2
Career total			76	2	1	0	0	0	78	2

Honours

New Zealand U20

• OFC U-19 Championship: 2022

New Zealand U23

• OFC Men's Olympic Qualifying Tournament: 2023

Individual

• A-League Men Player of the Month: February 2024 ^[11]

References

1. "Men's Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024: Squad list" (PDF). FIFA . 24 July 2024. p. 11. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
2. "Isaac Hughes". Wellington Phoenix. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
3. "Wellington Phoenix promote New Zealand under-23 defender instead of signing import". Stuff. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
4. "Reserves captain graduates into the first team". Wellington Phoenix. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
5. "Wellington Phoenix's new signing has achieved a lifelong dream. His mum's reaction was everything". A-Leagues. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
6. "Phoenix promote third age group international from academy to A-League squad". friendsoffootballnz.com. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
7. roshi (19 September 2024). "Young centre back recommits to the Nix". Wellington Phoenix. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
8. "Get to know the Men's U-20 team". New Zealand Football. 12 May 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
9. "Five players added to OFC Men's Olympic Qualifier squad". New Zealand Football. 23 August 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
10. "I. Hughes". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 5 May 2024.
11. "The fans have spoken! 19yo Phoenix academy graduate voted Player of the Month for February". A-League Men . Retrieved 2 March 2024.

External links

• Isaac Hughes at Soccerway