​Wales midfielder Laura Hughes has left Melbourne City as the Australian club announced she is pursuing a new opportunity overseas. The 25-year-old, who switched allegiance from Australia to Wales last year, had a strong start with Rhian Wilkinson’s Welsh squad and helped propel her new nation forward on the international stage.
Hughes departs Melbourne at the end of her contract, following a season in which she helped the club seal a domestic double in 2025-26. In three years with Melbourne, she racked up 69 appearances and was described by the club as having played “a pivotal role in one of the most successful eras in the club’s history.” Melbourne’s director of football, Michael Petrillo, noted that Hughes matured into a leader within the squad, established herself among the league’s elite midfielders, and earned the chance to advance her career overseas.
During her time at Melbourne, Hughes was capped once by Australia, appearing in a friendly against Chinese Taipei in 2024. She committed to Wales late in 2025 and has since contributed to the Welsh setup. She made her Wales debut in a friendly victory over Switzerland last December. After a spell on the sidelines due to injury, she returned to feature as a substitute in the final two matches of Wales’ World Cup qualifying group phase last month, delivering encouraging performances as she continued her international journey.
In a message of gratitude, Hughes said: “I want to thank everyone who has been a part of my journey at City and wish the club the best of luck for the future.” Her professional career began with Canberra United, where she debuted as a 15-year-old, before a stint in Iceland and a return to Canberra. She later spent time with Manly United before moving to Melbourne, where she further established herself before pursuing new horizons overseas.
The Welsh camp, led by head coach Rhian Wilkinson, has sought to balance ambition with the need for courage in World Cup play-offs. Hughes has already made her mark with Wales, and her departure from Melbourne signals the next phase of her evolving career as she continues to contribute on the international stage while exploring opportunities abroad.