As the 11th season of the Hyundai A-League draws ever closer, Outside90’s Jacob Chicco takes a look at the league’s top five defenders.
Aaron Hughes (Melbourne City)
Aaron Hughes has had a decorated football career. The 35-year-old centre-back has recently signed for John van’t Schip’s Melbourne City, following a spell at English Championship side Brighton and Hove Albion. Although the veteran is in the twilight of his career, Hughes brings to the Melbourne club vast top flight experience that will be needed as the side looks to qualify for the finals for the second consecutive year.
Coming through the youth ranks at Newcastle United before making over 450 Premier League appearances for Aston Villa, Fulham and Queens Park Rangers, Hughes has been a consistent performer for each team he has played for. In the 2009-10 season, Hughes was a regular starter for English side Fulham, as current England boss Roy Hodgson guided the London club to the Europa League final.
With the club securing the services of fellow former Premier League star Thomas Sorenson, Socceroos Ivan Franjic and Michael Zullo, Corey Gameiro and a string of others, Hughes will look to play an important role as the club looks to improve on their fifth place finish.
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