A real character, a Junior Matilda, and an integral part of the Canberra United team for the last few years, born-and-bred Canberran Laura Hughes has been revealed as coach Vicki Linton’s second signing for season 13 of the W-League.
It wouldn't be the same without Hughesy! pic.twitter.com/ggSdQKpygR
— Canberra United (@CanberraUnited) September 17, 2020
MEDIA RELEASE FROM CANBERRA UNITED
Canberra United’s squad for the upcoming Westfield W-League season has received a huge boost as fan-favourite Laura Hughes re-signs with her home club.
A product of the Canberra United Academy program, Hughes will return for her fourth season with Canberra United after spending the winter months with Thróttur Reykjavík FC in Iceland’s top-tier football competition.
Hughes, who holds the record for United’s second youngest debutant when she made her debut at just 15 years old in a 5-1 win over the Brisbane Roar, has made 18 appearances for Canberra United.
The 19-year-old midfielder said she is looking forward to returning to Canberra United this Westfield W-League season.
“I’m really excited to be given the opportunity to play for Canberra United this season and I’m looking forward to working with Vicki and seeing what we can achieve as a club,” Hughes said.
“I absolutely love playing for Canberra United and there’s no other team I’d rather be a part of.
“I’m just counting down the days until I can put on that jersey and play for the fans at McKellar Park.”
Canberra United head coach Vicki Linton said she was delighted that Hughes has committed to Canberra United.
“It will be great to have Laura back after spending this year in Iceland,” Linton said.
“I look forward to working with her and seeing what she can bring to the team this season.”
Linton explained in a media conference that she has not worked with Hughes before, but believes that Hughes’ current season in Iceland will stand her in good stead.
“She’s an exciting attacking midfield player; she is still young and is still developing, and we have to remember that with our players – even Grace Maher is only 21 still. But there’s a lot of good things about Laura’s game: how she likes to get forward; her creativity… so I’m looking forward to working with her.
“This experience for her overseas is only making her better. I’ve spoken to her and she’s really learning from the experience, and she (and I) can’t wait to see what she brings back to the W-League.
“Just moving overseas, being a bit more independent… over there, she’s the foreign player, so she’s having to grow in her leadership, even at a young age. It’s those sort of things that help develop a person and a player… everything’s going well for her there, and there are a lot of positives.
“We’ll be able to announce more [signings] in the next couple of weeks, but I’m starting to feel pretty good about it and pull things together…. and we’re starting to get a good base from which we can grow.
“With the COVID restrictions it’s looking more likely in the new year [for a season start]. Indications are that in a few weeks we will have some firmer details, but that’s what I know at this point.”
Read all about Laura Hughes’ season with Thróttur Reykjavík in Beyond 90’s Nordic Football content, as well as all our Canberra United content.
