Striker signs initially until the end of the season

Port Vale has completed the signing of Lee Hughes until the end of the season, with an option to keep the forward for a further year.

The striker, who joins the Valiants after leaving Notts County, will go straight into the squad for Saturday’s clash away against Gillingham.

He becomes Micky Adams’ third signing in January, following Chris Birchall and Darren Purse into Vale Park.

“Lee has scored goals at all levels and I think it is a real coup that we have managed to sign him for Port Vale,” said Micky.

“The squad have done fantastically well already this season and I believe that Lee’s signing will give us even more strength in depth and experience, as well as another option in the final third.”

A renowned goalscorer throughout his career, Hughes started playing as a semi-professional at Kidderminster Harriers, before re-joining West Bromwich Albion – where he had played as a schoolboy – in 1997. He scored 79 goals in 156 appearances at the Hawthorns before joining Coventry City for a club record transfer fee of £5-million in 2001.

From there he returned to West Brom, with the forward also playing for Oldham Athletic before signing for Notts County in 2009. Hughes has scored 59 goals in 127 appearances while at Meadow Lane.

Hughes added: “I am very excited to join Port Vale. It is a fantastic club steeped in football history and it has a real chance to reclaim former glories under new ownership.

“I am really looking forward to working with Micky Adams, who I have long respected. The team is having a tremendous season and so I shall do my utmost to score goals and help the team in its promotion push.

“I love playing football and am grateful to Micky Adams and Paul Wildes for allowing me this exciting new opportunity."

Port Vale Chairman, Paul Wildes, said:

“I believe that the signing of a quality player like Lee, along with our other acquisitions, signals our intent that we want to return Port Vale to better times.

“We are pleased to support Micky in strengthening his squad and will continue to work closely with him for the remainder of January and beyond.

“Our ambition is not just driven by the short-term – we want the manager to assemble a strong squad which he feels will serve us well for the future.”

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