Cottagers seal Hughes deal
27 Jun 2007 - 16:49:07
Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez has hailed Aaron Hughes' leadership skills after completing a deal to bring the Aston Villa defender to Craven Cottage.
Sanchez worked with the 27-year-old, who has penned a three-year deal with the Cottagers, when he was the manager of Northern Ireland and knows all about the former Newcastle United player's attributes.
"I'm delighted that we've been able to bring Aaron to Fulham," Sanchez told Fulham's official website.
"As my captain while I was manager at Northern Ireland, I saw his obvious leadership skills and his qualities as a player which are widely recognised, so I'm delighted that he becomes my first signing of the summer.
"He'll bring some much needed depth to the squad and a level of commitment and tenacity that forms an integral part of my philosophy for next season's campaign."
Hughes added: "I'm delighted to be joining Fulham and am looking forward to working with Lawrie Sanchez at club level.
"I enjoyed my time at Aston Villa, but when this opportunity presented itself, I had no hesitation in coming to discuss the manager's ambitions for the club, which obviously were of great interest to me.
"I'm happy to have signed before the start of pre-season, which gives me the opportunity of being with the lads on day one, when we come back to training next week."
Hughes made 54 Premiership appearances for Villa in his two seasons with the club following his £1million transfer from Newcastle United.