Mark Hughes has left FIATC Girona for iLERNA Lleida, with the move announced on 6 August after the American guard spent one season at Fontajau.
For Girona supporters, Hughes' exit follows the departure of centre Juan Fernández and leaves the club with one fewer player from last season's group as it prepares its 2026/27 squad. The club's official player profile lists Hughes as a 199cm guard who joined Bàsquet Girona in 2025.
Lleida move reported after Girona departures
Diari de Girona reported that Hughes was presented by iLERNA Lleida shortly after his departure from Girona was made public. The report said the player had obtained a European passport, allowing him to be registered without occupying one of the two non-EU player places permitted under ACB rules.
The passport status has not been confirmed in Bàsquet Girona's official player profile, which describes Hughes as American. The newspaper cited ACB information listing him with American and Spanish nationality.
ACB limits on non-EU registrations matter directly to clubs' recruitment: a player counted as a non-EU signing uses one of only two such places in the squad, while a player with Spanish or another EU nationality does not.
One season at Fontajau
Hughes began his professional career in Europe after playing for Wright State Raiders between 2015 and 2019, according to Bàsquet Girona. His previous Spanish clubs include ICG Força Lleida, Estudiantes and Real Betis.
Juan Fernández's departure had been confirmed a day earlier, on 5 August. L'Esportiu reported that the Argentine centre would not be part of FIATC Girona's 2026/27 squad after two seasons at Fontajau.
Reported by basquetgirona.com, X.M, es.wikipedia.org, l'esportiu, Por Newsroom Infobae Seguir, Segre, Diari de Girona.
