Crystal Palace complete deal for Watford midfielder Will Hughes
Crystal Palace have signed 26-year-old midfielder Will Hughes on a three-year deal. The Surrey-born midfielder is the club’s as the sixth signing under Patrick Vieira.
Eagles chairman Steve Parish said: “Will has an abundance of talent and has shown it from a young age. He joins us with a wealth of experience but with years of football still ahead of him, and we hope he will greatly add to the quality of our midfield.”
Hughes said: “Fans want to see players give 100 per cent and that’s the minimum I’ll give. That’s what they can expect. [Palace are] planning for the future and it’s exciting times ahead. They’re not just planning for the here and now, which is obviously important, but they’ve got a big project going on here so it’s exciting to be part of it.”
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.
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 following season.
On the international stage, the midfielder has represented England at U17 and U21 level – becoming the second-youngest player to feature for the latter.
PICTURE: Seb Frej/cpfc.co.uk
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
