Aaron Hughes

Aaron Hughes is a defender, born on 8 November 1979 in Cookstown, Northern Ireland.

Aaron spent a long time in different academies of Northern Ireland, but his last step at the youth level was the academy of Newcastle United. In 1996 the footballer moved to England and joined ‘The Magpies’. He spent a year with the club and got a real opportunity to become a pro.

In 1997 Hughes signed his first professional contract with Newcastle United and became one of the pivots of defense after some time with the first team. It took Aaron one season of periodical appearances to prove he was a solid player that corresponded to high standards of pro football. In late 1990s the footballer showed a confident performance in the main team of Newcastle United, taking part in 205 games and netting four goals till 2005, when he left ‘The Magpies’.

In 2005 Aaron transferred to Aston Villa and was a permanent player at Villa Park during two years. He was let on the pitch almost in every match, which kept his imperious form. From 2005 till 2007, Hughes made 54 appearances for ‘The Villans’.

In 2007 the footballer moved to London, signing for Fulham. Aaron had to struggle for the place in the main team of the new club, but as soon as he proved to be workmanlike and ready to perform at the highest level, the head coach welcomed him in the starting line-up. Hughes took part in 247 matches of ‘The Cottagers’ by 2014. Later on he played for Queens Park Rangers and Brighton and Hove Albion.

From 1998 Aaron has been capped 90 times and contributed one goal for the Northern Ireland national team.