Willie Kirk believes Elise Hughes has “a big future ahead” after the Everton striker was named women’s young player of the year at the 2019 Football Association of Wales Awards.
The lifelong Evertonian, from Hawarden, has made rapid progress despite not turning 18 until next month.
Hughes was handed her Wales debut in March 2018 in the Cyprus Cup against Switzerland and, having been given a first Everton start by Kirk in December’s Merseyside derby against Liverpool, the teenager netted her maiden Blues goal in the 2-1 success at Prenton Park.
Becoming a starter in Kirk’s ever-improving team before suffering a minor knee injury, Hughes, who graduated through the Club’s Regional Talent Centre, has now been tipped to build on her breakthrough campaign.