Elise Hughes


Elise Anna Hughes is a Welsh footballer who plays as a forward for Women's Super League club Crystal Palace and the Welsh national team.

Early life

Hughes was born in Hawarden, Flintshire. Her grandfather David and father Peter were both footballers. The family supports Everton.

Club career

Hughes came through Everton's Regional Talent Centre. In February 2018, Hughes made her first team debut for Everton in a 1–0 loss against Arsenal at 16 years old. Hughes scored her first professional goal in a derby win against Liverpool during the group stage of the FA WSL Cup.
On 4 January 2020, Hughes joined Bristol City on loan for the rest of the season. However, Hughes returned to Everton on 30 January to rehabilitate after suffering an ACL injury.
In 2023-24, Hughes scored 16 goals in 21 games for Crystal Palace, winning the Championship Golden Boot as Palace won promotion to the WSL, however she suffered another ACL injury playing against Lewes in the penultimate game of the season.
Elise is a UEFA Licence Holder and is involved in coaching her local club, Connah's Quay Nomads.

International career

Hughes has made appearances for the Wales women's national football team at the under-16 and under-17 levels. She has been called up several times to the senior team, and made her senior debut 5 March 2018 in the Cyprus Cup against Switzerland.
Elise now has 31 caps from Cymru and has scored 3 goals, the first of which was scored against Iceland in 2023 in the UEFA Women's Nations League. She suffered from an ACL which meant she was unable to play for many of the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 qualifiers.
In June 2025, Hughes was named in Wales' squad for UEFA Women's Euro 2025.

Career statistics

International

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
11 December 2023Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff, Wales1–21–22023–24 UEFA Women's Nations League
28 April 2024Zahir Pajaziti Stadium, Podujeva, Kosovo5–06–0UEFA Women's Euro 2025 qualifying
38 April 2024Zahir Pajaziti Stadium, Podujeva, Kosovo6–06–0UEFA Women's Euro 2025 qualifying
428 October 2025Rodney Parade, Newport, Wales1–02–5Friendly