Melbourne City star Laura Hughes has been called up by Wales for the first time, despite earning a cap for the CommBank Matildas.
Hughes is in the Wales squad set to face Switzerland on December 3 (AEDT), with another international fixture being finalised.
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The international switch to the world number 32 comes after Hughes debuted for the Matildas in December last year.
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“I think she’s a midfielder who can really bring a bit of bite,” Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson said of the 24-year-old.
“She’s got some great vision on the ball as well, so [we are] looking forward to integrating her and giving her this opportunity to show what she can give us.”
Hughes has established herself as a key part of City’s side in the Ninja A-League.
Since moving to Melbourne in 2023, Hughes has claimed back-to-back Premierships and contributed to City’s run to the 2024-25 AFC Women’s Champions League final, while she was named City’s Player of the Year in 2023-24.
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This season, she has featured in both Ninja A-League games amid City’s unbeaten start to go with a key role in this month’s unbeaten Champions League group phase.
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Wilkinson added: “I gave her the option to come in and just meet the team and be a training player and she said ‘nope, I want to play for Wales’.
“So the paperwork is being done. She’s clear on it and she made the decision to fully commit to Wales no matter what.”
