Rhys Hughes says the prospect of a return to full-time soccer was a “no-brainer” after his transfer to The New Saints.
The 23-year-old winger has been a standout performer within the Cymru Premier over latest years with Connah’s Quay Nomads, scoring 33 objectives in 72 appearances and successful the
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For the previous teen, who additionally had a spell at Tranmere Rovers, the supply from TNS was a chance he couldn’t flip down.
“It was a no brainer as quickly as I knew there was curiosity,” he stated.
“You wish to be taking part in full-time and doing this each day and that may simply assist your performances on the pitch – being sharper and fitter.
“Chatting with Craig and the way in which he desires to play and the membership itself, the trophies it is gained, the set-up – it simply all fitted completely for me.”
Born in Wrexham however a graduate of Everton’s academy, Hughes signed his first skilled contract in January 2020.
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Taking part in alongside the likes of and Coventry’s , Hughes scored three objectives and offered six assists in 15 league video games for Everton’s under-18s in the course of the 2019-20 season and would go on to play for the under-23s.
“I can solely converse extremely of Everton as a membership and the folks there,” Hughes stated.
“I spent all my childhood there from aged 5 till I used to be 20, which is a very long time.
“As you are there from so younger, the membership instills values and morals and helps you flip into the individual you might be.”
Following his launch by Everton in the summertime of 2022, Hughes moved throughout the Mersey to Tranmere Rovers.
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He scored one purpose in 18 league appearances in two years at Prenton Park, which included mortgage spells at non-league Chester and Curzon Ashton.
Rhys Hughes was with Everton from the age of 5 [Getty Images]
After leaving Tranmere, Hughes joined Connah’s Quay in August 2024.
“Going part-time is completely different however it makes you wish to succeed much more,” Hughes stated.
“I wished to get confidence and play week in, week out and present what I can do.”
In his first season on the membership – below supervisor – Hughes was an ever-present within the league and helped Nomads to the JD Welsh Cup ultimate.
“I liked my time there. He [Paynter] actually instilled the boldness in me to point out my means and be the participant I’m,” Hughes stated.
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“That is the place all of the objectives come from, simply with the ability to specific myself.”
An extra 15 league objectives adopted final season as Nomads, then below John Disney, completed runners-up within the Cymru Premier earlier than TNS got here knocking.
However he takes nothing as a right because the Welsh champions put together to kick off their Champions League qualifiers.
“It will be powerful to cement your home however it’s a problem I am wanting ahead to,” he stated.
“There are such a lot of good gamers. In coaching video games you see how good the gamers are and the standard we have got in the entire group.”
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Saints face Sabah of Azerbaijan within the first qualifying spherical aiming to emulate the feats of the 2024-25 season within the Uefa Convention League once they turned the primary Welsh home facet to play within the group levels of a European competitors.
“That might be good, would not it?” Hughes stated.
“Chatting with among the lads and the experiences that they had, they are saying it was unbelievable.
“It will be my first time within the Champions League so hopefully it’s going to be an excellent expertise and one we will do rather well.”