Ben Hughes savours special moment after signing first pro deal

Ben Hughes is savouring a special moment after the young Swansea City goalkeeper signed his first professional contract with the club he has supported since childhood.

The 19-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half year contract through to the end of June 2025 following a series of impressive performances since joining on a scholarship following a successful trial in 2021.

The Wales Under-18 international joined the Swans after a spell with National League South side Chippenham Town.

Hughes had linked up with Chippenham’s academy in 2020 after they discovered him playing grassroots football.

He went on to feature regularly for their age-grade sides and was a regular on the bench for the senior team.

Hughes has also played age-grade futsal for Wales, and has enjoyed a fine recent run of performances for the under-21s after being handed a debut for the development side.

And the boyhood Swans fan could not hide his delight at signing professional terms.

“I’m absolutely delighted to sign my first professional contract. This is my home, this is where I've grown up, and this is the team I have supported since I was a kid,” he said.

“To sign a contract with your home club is such a special feeling, and especially with the journey I’ve had in football, it’s not a traditional one, so that makes it even better.

“Before coming to Swansea, I was playing non-league football. When I came to Swansea last season, that was my first time signing for an academy.

“My growth and training were more non-league based. It was a lot less technical, and I’ve learnt so much since coming here.

“Two years ago, when I was at Chippenham Town, I was nowhere near a professional contract or nowhere near academy football.

“To sit here today and to say I’m signing my first professional contract is a massive achievement, and it makes me feel really good.”

While Hughes has flourished and made considerable strides during his time in the academy, the teenager remains humble and has his sights set on continuing to get better and put in the work every day.

“Being a goalkeeper, you must be patient and work for your opportunity. When the opportunity came to me to step up to the under-21s, I had to do my best,” he added.

“I’ve been doing whatever I can to put my name in the hat to play consistently, and now I have been, it’s been great. Especially, keeping a run of four clean sheets.

“In the next two years, I’ll have time and room to build on things. Hopefully, I can have another season with the under-21s and get more game time under my belt.

“I want to keep improving, training with the first team more consistently and work on improving my game.

“For now, now that I’m secured here, I can keep going as I am, keep progressing and I can’t wait for what the next two years have in store.”