Joe
Hugill

The Durham-born striker spent a year at Newcastle United before heading to the Black Cats. Hugill made an instant impression at United, being quickly integrated into the Under-23s side despite his young age and taking like a duck to water. That followed a two-goal debut in victory over Blackburn Rovers at The Cliff. A tireless work rate rewarded the English forward with a prolific goalscoring record in Neil Wood’s U23s team, marked by a four-goal haul against Liverpool in Premier League 2. That saw Hugill become only the second Red from available post-War records to score so many times for the club in a single game against the Merseysiders. Steve James was the first. After finishing on 10 goals in 11 starts (plus seven appearances as substitute) for the Under-23s, and 6 in 6 at Under-18s level, he was rewarded with promotion to training with the first-team squad in the 2021 close season. A couple of injuries, including one picked up while on work experience loan at Forest Green Rovers, reduced Hugill’s game time in the 2021/22 campaign. The youngster soon got back into the swing of things with a run of five goals in five games in March 2022. In 2023/24, he scored eight times in 12 appearances for United's Under-21s and earned a loan move to Burton Albion after a spell at Altrincham in the previous season. He scored three minutes into his debut for Burton, against local rivals Derby County. A goal for United's first team, against Rangers in Edinburgh, was the highlight of his pre-season and he was soon on the move again, linking up with Wigan Athletic and scoring his first goal for them in the EFL Trophy against Morecambe in September 2024. After netting five times in 18 appearances for the Latics, he moved to Carlisle United in January.