NPL Queensland Grand Final winners Olympic FC have further strengthened their squad for next year's title defence with the additions of decorated midfielder Terry Hughes and young defender Eoghan Murphy.

The pair join Reuben Way, Ryan Meskell and Darren Gray in reinforcing a squad which claimed an inaugural silverware double in 2013.

Central midfielder Hughes arrives with an impressive resume ahead of his debut National Premier Leagues season, with assistant coach Tim Brown offering a glowing endorsement.

"Terry has been one of the most influential players in Brisbane football for the past nine years,” Brown said.

“He has scored approximately a goal every three games which is a great effort for a midfielder.”

The five-time Brisbane Premier League team of the year selection has collected as many BPL regular season titles to go with four Grand Final victories and adds to a midfield group including NPL Queensland Supporters XI nominees Danny Byrne, Jake McLean and Kazuya Ito.

Hughes hit Goodwin Park for pre-New Year training alongside fellow new face Murphy, with the strapping 18-year-old returned from a spell with English Football League Championship side Sheffield Wednesday.

The Gold Coast junior, who moved from Ireland to Australia aged nine, was involved in a Young Socceroos training camp while in England but returns with his eyes firmly on first-team football.

"Olympic won everything last year and it is the best team in Queensland so that speaks for itself," Murphy said.

"I was at Stoke but it did not work out, then I had a trial at Wednesday straight after and signed there.

"They could not get my clearance so I only played games with the first-team reserves since they were all friendlies, and I trained with the U18s and U20s.

"Obviously I live here and things did not work out over there, so I just thought it was time to come back and try to find a club here."

Olympic FC return to pre-season training on 7 January.

 

Words & Image: Olympic FC