During that period he has overseen promotion to the Championship and the signings of 78 players, while working with two head of recruitments in Phil Boardman and current incumbent Brad Wall.
To mark Hughes’ Fratton Park anniversary, we have selected his six best Blues signings - and his six worst. In no particular order...
9. Abdoulaye Kamara - MISS
A product of PSG’s Academy before moving to Borussia Dortmund, Kamara’s reputation certainly preceded him, with many expecting the midfielder to take the Championship by storm. The youngster ended up playing six times, with his final appearance a start in an embarrassing FA Cup defeat at League One Wycombe in January 2025. Indeed, Kamara never made another first-team squad. With the Blues unhappy about his attitude and commitment on the training pitch, his contract was cancelled just 12 months after arriving from Dortmund for an undisclosed fee. | Jason Brown/ProSportsImages
10. Conor Shaughnessy - HIT
Snapped up on a free transfer from Burton and couldn’t even make the squad for the opening game of the 2023-24 season, but what a canny signing by Hughes. A cultured ball-playing centre-half, comfortable on either foot, yet also dominant aerially in both boxes, with a penchant for timely goals, particularly the header which won the League One title. Clearly a Championship-calibre player, unfortunately he has been dogged by injuries since the start of the 2024-25 season, most recently injuring his groin against Blackburn.
11. Florian Bianchini - MISS
Surely Pompey’s worst loan signing of modern times - and he was so bad Swansea didn’t have any interest in recalling him in January 2026 despite injury and not playing. The French winger actually didn’t feature for Pompey again after November 2025, having suffered an ongoing knee injury, although even when fit afterwards he continued to be overlooked for first-team duty. Bianchini didn’t manage a goal or assist in his 11 appearances, with his left-wing wastefulness against Sheffield Wednesday his stand-out game in terms of awfulness.
12. Regan Poole - HIT
Had it not been for an untimely ACL injury weeks after his international debut in November 2023, Poole could still be a regular for Wales, although domestically he has bounced back impressively. A free transfer from Lincoln in July 2023, he has been an outstanding foil for Shaughnessy on the sadly rare occasions they play together, impressing with his fighting qualities and whole-hearted defending. Loves a defensive block, comfortable on the ball, and the sort of battler Blues fans love. | Jason Brown/ProSportsImages