Forward Hughes to leave Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace forward Elise Hughes will leave the club when her contract expires at the end of the month.

The Eagles announced the news via a post on their official club website this afternoon.

The 25-year-old attacker joined Crystal Palace from neighbours Charlton Athletic back in summer 2022. Hughes has gone on to make a huge impact for the South Londoners, helping the club to win promotion to the Barclays Women’s Super League on two occasions. The Welsh international has scored 34 goals in 89 appearances for Crystal Palace in all competitions.

Hughes netted 16 league goals in Crystal Palace’s Barclays WSL2 title-winning season in 2023/2024. Her season sadly ended prematurely as a result of an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury. She successfully returned to fitness and has continued to make a positive impact for the team. The player featured in every league game for The Eagles this season.

Hughes leaves Crystal Palace off the back of the club’s second promotion to the Barclays Women’s Super League. The South Londoners leapfrogged Charlton Athletic into the second automatic promotion place on the final day of the Barclays WSL2 season. Crystal Palace were arguably the strongest team in the second half of the season.

Further Crystal Palace squad news will be announced in due course.