Liam Hughes (footballer, born 2001)

Liam John Hughes (born 19 August 2001) is a Northern Irish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Finnish Veikkausliiga side Haka.[2]

Liam Hughes
Personal information
Full name Liam Hughes
Date of birth (2001-08-19) 19 August 2001 (age 23)
Place of birth Craigavon, Northern Ireland[1]
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
Haka
Number 1
Youth career
2016–2017 Portadown
2017–2018 Dungannon Swifts
2017–2021 Celtic
2021–2023 Liverpool
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017 Portadown 1 (0)
2021–2023 Liverpool 0 (0)
2024– Haka 0 (0)
International career
2019– Northern Ireland U21 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:03, 12 January 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10:18, 1 March 2021 (UTC)

Career

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Hughes made his senior debut for Portadown on the last day of the 2016-17 season, aged 15 years old, appearing as a substitute against Dungannon Swifts.[2]

In the summer of 2017, Hughes signed for Swifts on a three-year contract, before moving to Celtic in February 2018. He played in the 2019 Scottish Youth Cup Final, where he ended up on the losing side as Celtic were beaten 3–2 by Rangers.[2][3]

In February 2021, he signed for Liverpool, and was named in the first team squad for the first time later that month, featuring as an unused substitute in their Premier League victory over Sheffield United.[4] In June 2023, Liverpool decided not to extend Hughes' contract, and he became a free agent.[5]

On 12 January 2024, Finnish club Haka announced the signing of Hughes on a two-year deal.[6]

International career

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Hughes has featured for both the Northern Ireland Under 17s and Northern Ireland Under 21s, making his debut for the latter in October 2019.[2]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of matches played 16 February 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Cup Other Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Portadown 2016–17 NIFL Premiership 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Haka 2024 Veikkausliiga 0 0 0 0 2[a] 0 2 0
Total 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 3 0

References

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  1. ^ Liam Hughes, worldfootball.net
  2. ^ a b c d "Who is Liam Hughes? All you need to know about Liverpool's new signing and Northern Ireland U21 goalkeeper". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  3. ^ "Liverpool sign Northern Ireland Under 21 goalkeeper Liam Hughes". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  4. ^ "Sheffield United 0:2 Liverpool". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  5. ^ "Liverpool confirm Premier League retained list and departures". Liverpool FC. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  6. ^ FC HAKALLE MAALIVAHTI LIVERPOOLIN AKATEMIASTA, fchaka.fi, 12 January 2024
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