Liverpool FC have today announced that Richard Hughes will take over the duties of sporting director in June, but who is Richard Hughes?
Hughes started his playing career in Italy with Serie A side Atalanta as a youth player. After a year in Italy he moved to Arsenal and remained a youth player there for five years.
Hughes didn’t make a single appearance for Arsenal and in the summer of 1998 moved to AFC Bournemouth where he would go on to become a regular member of the first team.
He made 131 appearances for The Cherries before signing for Portsmouth in a £50,000 deal in the summer of 2002.
Hughes spent nine years at Portsmouth before returning to AFC Bournemouth where he would retire in 2014.
Following his retirement, Hughes joined Bournemouth’s recruitment team under Eddie Howe and was promoted to technical director during the club’s first stay in the Premier League.
Hughes conducted some notable business at AFC Bournemouth including the sale of Tyrone Mings to Aston Villa in 2019, the signings of Arnaut Danjuma and Nathan Ake, who were both sold for profit and the signing of Dominic Solanke, who this season has 18 goals and assists in the Premier League.
In an official statement from Liverpool FC, the Scotsman said: “I am incredibly proud to be offered this opportunity. Liverpool FC’s a unique club and I’m grateful to be given a chance to serve it in this capacity.”
The appointment of Hughes is the first significant decision made by Michael Edwards since he returned to FSG earlier this month.
In the official club statement, Edwards said: “I am delighted Richard has agreed to join us in this vitally important position.”
(Featured image under Alamy Licence)
