Laura Hughes (born 6 June 2001) is a footballer who plays as a midfielder for A-League Women club Melbourne City and the Wales national team. She has been capped once for Australia and changed international allegiance to Wales.
Hughes was born in Canberra, and was signed in 2016 from the Canberra academy, and also had played some games for the Junior Matildas. She made her debut on 18 December 2016, as a substitute in Canberra's 5âÂÂ1 victory. This was her only appearance for the year.
In the 2018âÂÂ19 season, Hughes played a more regular role for Canberra which culminated with her winning the club's rising star for the year.
She scored her first goal in a 3âÂÂ1 victory over Adelaide at the end of the 2019âÂÂ20 season.
Hughes briefly left Canberra to play for ÃÂróttur in Iceland but shortly re-signed for Canberra United in time for the 2020âÂÂ21 W-League. Hughes had created a video of highlights of her playing which had been sent to various Icelandic clubs, this then led to her being noticed by Nik Chamberlain, the manager of ÃÂróttur at the time. Hughes had always intended her stay in Iceland to be short-term as, when asked about her plans for the following Australian summer, she responded with "I am planning to return to Australia in time for W-League. However, it depends on whether the new coach of Canberra United would like to offer me a spot in their squad."
In December 2024, Hughes was called-up to the Australian senior team for the first-time, as a replacement for Chloe Logarzo who was withdrawn due to a concussion. She made her senior international debut, coming on as a substitute during the 6âÂÂ0 victory over Chinese Taipei.
In November 2025, Hughes was called-up by Wales for a camp in Spain, including two friendlies. Due the delay in processing her switch of allegiance, she didn't appear for Wales against South Korea. Three days later, Hughes' request to switch international allegiance to Wales was approved by FIFA. She made her debut for Wales in a 3âÂÂ2 victory over Switzerland on 2 December 2025.
She has studied at Erindale College.