Isaac Hughes

Isaac Hughes has established himself as a key member of the Wellington Phoenix first team since graduating from the club’s academy in 2023.

The combative centre back was born in Warrington, England and spent time at the Bolton and Crewe academies before his family moved to New Zealand when he was 10 years old.

He joined the Phoenix academy in 2019 from Kapiti Coast United and captained the reserves for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

Hughes started three of New Zealand’s four matches at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina.

He made his first team debut as a second-half substitute in the round of 16 Australia Cup match against Melbourne City in August 2023.

Hughes was regularly involved in the Nix matchday squad during the 2023-24 A-League, making 11 appearances.

Three of his four starts came in February when the team went unbeaten and fans voted him the A-League men’s player of the month.

Hughes was named as a travelling reserve in the OlyWhites squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics but did not feature.

He signed a three year contract extension with the Phoenix ahead of his second pro season, tying him to the club until the end of the 2027-28 A-League.

Hughes was ever-present alongside Scott Wootton in the heart of the Phoenix defence, starting 24 of the team’s 26 league matches.

He scored his first A-League goal at Sky Stadium on Waitangi Day when the Nix drew 1-1 with Brisbane Roar.

Hughes also found the back of the net at Adelaide United in April.

> 2025-26 season

Isaac Hughes was one of the first players on the Phoenix team sheet each week.

Hughes missed the opening two matches of the A-League season because of injury, but started 23 of the next 24.

He was substituted just twice, once because of injury.

Hughes scored goals in back-to-back games against Adelaide United and Sydney FC in January, helping the Nix to a draw and a win.

He also had an assist in a 2-1 win over the Roar in Brisbane in March.