Isaac Hughes (footballer) explained

Isaac Hughes
Full Name:	Isaac Robert Hughes^[1]
Position:	Defender
Birth Date:	2004 3, df=yes
Birth Place:	Warrington, England
Height:	1.83 m
Currentclub:	Wellington Phoenix
Clubnumber:	15
Youthclubs1:	Bolton Wanderers
Youthclubs2:	Crewe Alexandra
Years1:	–
Clubs1:	Wellington Phoenix Reserves
Caps1:	42
Goals1:	0
Years2:	2023–
Clubs2:	Wellington Phoenix
Caps2:	11
Goals2:	0
Nationalyears1:	2022–2023
Nationalteam1:	New Zealand U20
Nationalcaps1:	8
Nationalgoals1:	1
Nationalyears2:	2023–
Nationalteam2:	New Zealand U23
Nationalcaps2:	2
Nationalgoals2:	0
Pcupdate:	19 May 2024
Ntupdate:	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 10.^{[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]}

International career

Hughes was selected to for the New Zealand U20's 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.^{[7] [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.^[8]

Career statistics

Club

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	New Zealand National League	24	0	—		—		24	0
	2023	New Zealand National League	17	0	—		—		17	0
	2024	New Zealand National League	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
Career total			52	0	1	0	0	0	53	0

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^[9]

Notes and References

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