Elise Hughes has confirmed her departure from Crystal Palace after her contract expires at the end of June. The Welsh forward’s exit comes as the South Londoners secure promotion to the Women’s Super League for the second time, completing a remarkable trajectory that Hughes has been central to.

The 25-year-old joined Crystal Palace from Charlton Athletic in summer 2022 and delivered immediately. She scored 34 goals in 89 appearances across all competitions, establishing herself as one of the club’s most important attacking outlets. Her peak came during the 2023/2024 title-winning season when she netted 16 league goals in the second tier. That form should have catapulted her into genuine contention for the elite level.

Then came the setback. An anterior cruciate ligament injury cut her season short at a critical moment. But Hughes showed genuine character in her recovery. She returned to fitness and played in every league game this season as Palace finished their campaign strongly enough to leapfrog former neighbours Charlton Athletic into an automatic promotion place on the final day.

That timing raises questions. Hughes leaves having achieved significant things at Palace. She helped deliver two promotions. She was their prolific attacking force. Yet her departure is announced as the club steps up. It is the kind of exit that suggests a clean break rather than a natural conclusion.

The Recovery Story

Hughes proved her resilience after the ACL injury. Coming back to play every game shows genuine mental strength and fitness.

The Promotion Paradox

Palace achieved promotion partly because Hughes has been there consistently. Her departure weakens their WSL prospects materially.

Also read: Crystal Palace Women Confirm Indiah-Paige Riley Departure After Two Years at the Club

Crystal Palace held their 2025-26 end of season awards on May 24 with Ismaila Sarr claiming both Men’s Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season after an extraordinary campaign.

The 28-year-old Senegal international scored 21 goals across all competitions including nine in the Premier League and nine in the Conference League, finishing as the competition’s top scorer and driving Palace to their first ever European final against Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig on Wednesday evening.

Sarr Deserved Every Vote

This was not a popularity contest. Sarr was simply Palace’s most decisive player this season by enormous margin. He surpassed goal tallies achieved by Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Wilfried Zaha in their respective Palace peaks. He scored in every European knockout round.

His winning goal against Shakhtar Donetsk in the semi-final second leg sealed a 5-2 aggregate triumph that sent Selhurst Park into delirium. Oliver Glasner called it a huge European night. Sarr made it happen.

The Other Worthy Winners

Jorgen Strand Larsen claimed Goal of the Season for his clinical counter-attack finish against Shakhtar in Poland. Justin Devenny’s Community Shield penalty win against Liverpool won Socios Moment of the Season.

Thomas Evans and Grace Travers received Chairman’s Awards for Outstanding Contribution, recognition for their behind-the-scenes work during the club’s longest ever competitive season.

Annabel Blanchard was voted Women’s TEN Player of the Season while captain Aimee Everett won the Players’ Player award after their promotion winning WSL campaign.

Conference League Glory Beckons

Palace face Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig on Wednesday at 20:00 BST for the biggest game in the club’s modern history. Sarr is the competition’s top scorer and has scored in every single knockout round. The most important game of their season arrives with their best player in the form of his career. Glasner’s rotated team cannot afford to rotate Sarr.

Also read: Crystal Palace Women Confirm Indiah-Paige Riley Departure After Two Years at the Club

Crystal Palace Women have confirmed that Indiah-Paige Riley will leave the club when her contract expires this summer, bringing an end to a two-year spell that included some genuinely memorable moments in red and blue.

Riley joined Palace from PSV Eindhoven in 2024 ahead of the club’s historic first ever Women’s Super League season and made 32 appearances across her time at the club, scoring two goals. She will be remembered fondly by supporters, and for very good reason.

The Goal That Made History

Riley’s place in Crystal Palace Women’s history is secure regardless of what comes next. She scored the club’s first ever home goal in the top flight, netting the opener against Everton within 60 seconds of kick-off. That is a moment that no future player can take away from her, and it deserves to be remembered as one of the more charming footnotes in the club’s rapid rise through women’s football.

What She Contributed to the Squad

Beyond that historic goal, Riley made 12 appearances across all competitions last season and contributed an assist in the 3-0 League Cup victory over Leicester City.

She was not always a guaranteed starter, but when called upon she brought pace and directness that Palace could use effectively. The New Zealand international represented her country throughout her time in England and leaves as a more experienced player than when she arrived.

Palace Building for the WSL

Riley’s departure comes as Crystal Palace prepare for their first full WSL campaign following promotion. The club have already confirmed the departures of Chloë Arthur alongside Riley, while Molly-Mae Sharpe has been retained on a new deal until 2028.

Jo Potter’s side will need to be smart in the market this summer to ensure they are ready for the step up, and decisions like this one are all part of shaping the squad for what comes next.

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Also read: Birmingham City Confirm Eight Departures After WSL Promotion as Major Summer Rebuild Begins at St Andrew’s