Jeff made the move to Selhurst Park in July 2007, when he joined from Lincoln City for an undisclosed fee and signed a three-year contract with the Eagles.

The Northern Ireland international was still playing with his hometown club Larne just two years before arriving at Palace.

He began his career at Larne and also spent time with Ballymena before returning for a second spell at Inver Park, where his ability began to attract the attention of several English league clubs.

An impressive trial at Lincoln in the pre-season of 2005 saw the Imps swoop to sign him and it wasn't long before he was rewarded with a contract extension at Sincil Bank after a series of eye catching performances on the left, whether that was at full-back, wing-back or as a left sided midfield player.

With plenty of skill on the ball, impressive set pieces and the energy to get up and down the flanks, Jeff became a popular figure with the Imps and his first season in English professional football ended with City in the League Two play-offs. Unfortunately they lost out to local rivals Grimsby Town in the semi-finals, but it had been a successful start to his career in the Football League for Jeff.

The 2006/07 campaign ended in play-off heart-ache for Lincoln again, as they lost over two legs to eventual winners Bristol Rovers but it was a personal triumph for Hughes as he netted three goals over the two games to end the campaign with a total of nine goals and his form alerted a number of clubs in the Championship to his abilities.

It was Palace who made the first move though, with boss Peter Taylor admitting that Hughes was a player he was first drawn to whilst in charge at Hull City and he figured in seven games towards the end of his reign.

Hughes has found first team chances harder to come by under Neil Warnock, and he went on loan to Peterborough United in November 2007, opening his goal account against Bradford the following month. 

The winger picked up his first Northern Ireland cap during a summer tour of the USA in 2006. He had previously represented his country at both Under 19 and Under 21 level and is looking to become a more permanent fixture in the full squad.