Luca/Liam

Men's Soccer

NKU Men’s Soccer adds Sloan, Hughes to 2026 roster

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky University Norse men's soccer signed a pair of players heading into the 2026 campaign, as transfer goalkeeper Liam Sloan and English midfielder Luca Hughes inked with the Norse on Thursday.

"I am thrilled to welcome both Luca and Liam to our program," said Norse head coach Sean Teepen. "With their additions, our 2026 roster is now complete, and I couldn't be more excited about the class we've assembled. Both bring diverse backgrounds and a wealth of experience that will strengthen our group. Above all, they are high-character individuals who embody our core values, and I'm excited to see the impact they'll have on our program."

An Aurora, Colorado native, Liam Sloan comes to the Norse after spending the 2025 season at CSU-Pueblo, but did not make any appearances. In 2024, Sloan attended Marymount University, where he made 12 appearances in between the sticks, making ten starts. Sloan saved 39 shots while allowing 17 goals, finishing the season with a 4-3-3 record and a solo shutout. With the Saints, Sloan earned Atlantic East All-Academic honors while also being named the conference's Defensive Player of the Week on September 16, 2024, following a three-match stretch where he made 17 total saves. Sloan attended Denver East High School and earned First Team All-State honors as a senior, recording eight shutouts and 65 saves in his final high school campaign. He helped Denver East win the state championship as a junior and led the team to a state finals appearance as a senior, and also played for B-Elite Denver on the club level. 

MORE ABOUT LIAM:
Liam's favorite TV show is Planet Earth…His favorite movie is Se7en…Drake is Liam's favorite musician…His favorite song is Ain't No Sunshine by Bill Withers…His favorite athlete to watch is Marc-Andre Ter Stegen…Liam's favorite professional sports team is Barcelona…Hobbies outside of soccer include cooking and video games…Liam's first job was as a soccer referee…A bucket list travel destination of his is Greece…his favorite food is sushi…Someone he'd to meet is Johnny Depp…an activity he is surprisingly good at is juggling…Liam's nickname is Mateo.

Luca Hughes, a midfielder from Bromley, England, arrives in Highland Heights after most recently playing for Wycombe Wanderers FC's U18 club. He also spent time with Wycombe's U17s while competing with Charlton Athletic from U11-U15. Hughes also competed with Kent County and reached county finals, and showed prowess off the pitch by completing his A-levels while playing professionally with Wycombe. 

MORE ABOUT LUCA:
Luca's favorite TV show is Dexter…His favorite movie is Wood Job!...Luca's favorite musician is Future…His favorite song is Want You In My Soul by Lovebirds…His favorite athletes to watch are Rafael Nadal and Neymar…Arsenal is Luca's favorite pro sports team…His hobbies include going to the gym, DJing, and raves…his first job was as a construction worker…A bucket list travel destination of Luca's is China with his brother…His favorite food is katsudon…Someone he'd like to meet is Carl Cox…Luca is surprisingly good at racket sports…Luca's nickname is Hughsy. 

FOLLOW NKU NORSE MEN'S SOCCER
Get in the game and follow Northern Kentucky's NCAA Division I men's soccer team through @NKUNorseSOC on Twitter, @NKUNorseMSOC on Instagram, nkunorseMsoc on Facebook and subscribe to the NKU Norse YouTube channel.
 
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