Aaron Hughes

Hughes can play Centre back, right back or left back, he is also able to play anywhere in midfield. He is usually employed in a right back or full back role for his club and country.

He came through the Newcastle United ranks to become a regular in the Newcastle starting eleven, he made his first team debut in the Nou Camp in a match between Newcastle United and F.C Barcelona on November 26, 1997. His league debut came against Sheffield Wednesday F.C. later in the same season. His first team appearances after this were few and far between, yet he had established himself in the team by the 1999/2000 season. On May 20, 2005 Hughes was sold to fellow Premier League side Aston Villa for a fee of ?1.5m.

On April 17, 2002 he was awarded the captaincy of his country on his 24th cap against Spain in Belfast. He has been a regular captain for the Northern Irish team ever since.