Hughes started his career with Scottish Premier League club Rangers at the age of 16.

[6] On 4 June 2007, Hughes was placed on the transfer list by then Leicester manager Martin Allen, with Hearts and Motherwell reportedly offering £50,000 for the player.

[5] Scottish newspapers on 22 July 2009 suggested that Hughes had joined Norwich City as a free agent on a three-year contract.

Hughes returned to Norwich after a loan spell at MK Dons to gain fitness after his operation.

Having completed a short-term contract with East Fife, Hughes signed for Scottish Championship club Dundee in January 2014.

[18] His Dundee career was short lived where he played only the first 45 minutes away to Falkirk where after a poor performance was substituted at half time.

After making one appearance for Dundee, Hughes rejoined East Fife on loan after being told he was not part of the new managerPaul Hartley's plans.