Michael Hughes (footballer)

Micheal Hughes, (born August 2 1971), is a Northern Irish footballer who plays for Crystal Palace F.C. in the English Premier League. He wears the number 17 shirt and is a midfielder.

Micheal Hughes' career began with Manchester City F.C. as a trainee. In August 1992 he moved to Strasbourg F.C. for a fee of £450,000. During his four years at Strasbourg F.C. Hughes spent two succesfull years on loan to West Ham.

In July 1996 Hughes made the move to West Ham permentant in the process becomming the first player to move for free on a Bosman ruling. The following season Joe Kinnear took Hughes to Wimbledon in a £1.6million deal.

Hughes became embroiled in a contract dispute between Birmingham F.C. and Wimbledon F.C. (now M K Dons) in 2002. In March 2002 Hughes played three matches for Birmingham on loan, but was injured before the they were promoted and a permanent switch fell through. Wimbledon then refused to take him back. The ensuing dispute over who held his registration continued for over a year and Hughes' career had to be put on hold. In October 2003 Hughes signed for Palace (who shared Selhurst Park with Wimbledon at the time) and was compensated by Birmingham.