PRESTATYN Town will be without the services of midfielder Rob Hughes for the rest of the season after he agreed a move to Melbourne Knights.

The former Connah’s Quay Nomads player returned to the Motion Finance Stadium this summer to spearhead the Seasiders’ promotion push in JD Cymru North, but he has now opted for a return to the southern hemisphere following a spell with Goulburn Valley Suns in 2017.

The 27-year-old has been one of the second tier’s top performers this term, contributing a significant number of goals and successful penalties to further enhance his growing reputation.

Hughes, said: “I’m really excited to be joining the club and to be back in Australia.

“After my season with Goulburn I had a number of clubs from the NPL make offers for my services but unfortunately, I had to return home.

“When I returned back to the Welsh Premier League, I ended up winning the Welsh Cup with Connahs Quay.

“I decided to re-join my boyhood club in Prestatyn Town FC to try and help them win promotion back into the WPL this season.

“However, it didn’t take much to convince me for me to join the club. He has a clear vision of where he wants to take the club and I just want to try and help the team and club as much as I can.”

The club anticipate Hughes to be back in time for the start of next season, where they look set to be plying their trade in the JD Cymru Premier once again.

Manager Neil Gibson is believed to be looking for a replacement to come into the fold during the window to fill the void left by Hughes.