Watford have appointed Shrewsbury Town’s David Hughes as the club’s new youth team coach.

The Hornets have been looking for someone to lead the Under-18s since Joe McBride joined Malky Mackay at Cardiff City in the summer.

Hughes started his career at Aston Villa but moved to Shrewsbury Town after failing to secure a first team spot.

The defender, who represented Wales until Under-21 level, was a regular for the Shrews during his two-year spell and earned a move to Cardiff City for £450,000.

His career was blighted by injuries though and he retired from the game at the age of 26.

The 33-year-old was coaching at Cardiff’s Academy while he went through university and was promoted to head of youth development at Shrewsbury in October 2009.

Hughes is a UEFA A Licence coach and a qualified sports scientist.