Hughes agreed a two-year contract with the club at the end of June 2011 after leaving Bristol Rovers.
At the end of his first season at Meadow Lane the adaptable midfielder was awarded the Golden Boot and Manager’s Player of the Year awards.
Having been Rovers’ second top-scorer in both 2009.10 and 2010.11 goals were expected from the Northern Ireland international.
He went on to find the net on 17 occasions but also chipped in with 10 assists.