- Elise Hughes confirms exit after four years
- Hughes’ difficult two seasons
- Palace’s step up into WSL will be challenging
Crystal Palace Women’s attacker Elise Hughes confirmed she is leaving South London this summer after four years at the club following the expiration of her contract.
Hughes joined the Eagles in August 2022 after a season each at Charlton and Blackburn Rovers. She will depart with 89 appearances in Red and Blue and 34 goals scored.
The Welsh International was an incredible asset to the 2023/24 Women’s Squad who won Palace’s first ever Women’s Championship and promotion to the WSL. In that season alone she scored 20 goals in 26 appearances, including 16 goals and 2 assists in the WSL2.
Hughes’ Rollercoaster Time at Palace
After joining the Eagles from Charlton in 2022 Hughes settled well into the team with 7 goals and ending the season as Palace’s leading goalscorer. But it was the 2023/24 season which truly saw Hughes as an attacking threat and an incredible asset in the promotion winning squad.
Shortly after securing promotion to the WSL with the Championship Golden Boot Hughes was unfortunate to suffer an ACL injury which forced her to take nine months out from football.
The 25-year-old missed most of Palace’s WSL debut campaign only featuring in 8 games in the 2024/25 season. Since then she has struggled to get back to full form, scoring only 4 goals in the WSL2 this season despite being involved in every match.
Potter’s Challenge Ahead of the WSL Campaign
After it was confirmed Palace would take part in their second ever season in the Women’s top flight, notable players have confirmed their exit from South London, leaving Potter and the club with a challenge to build on last season.
While Hughes was unfortunate with performances this season, her voice in the team was important and will be missed as one of the experienced WSL2 players with a long spell at the club.
Potter will be hoping the club can make investments to replace the absences from the team, with squad depth and experience very important for facing increased intensity and volume of matches next season.
There is some reassurance as the Eagles top goalscorer’s for last season, Abbie Larkin and Kirsty Howat are not set to depart with Larkin extending her contract and Howat is not set to leave until next summer.
