Hughes, who is a product of ECU Joondalup's academy in Perth, has spent the past two and a half weeks trialing in Scotland.

The stint was arranged by former Perth Glory midfielder Steven McGarry and ECU coach Steven McGarry.

18-year-old Hughes broke into the ECU first-team last year and has played more than 30 games in the NPL Western Australia.

He has also spent time with Glory's National Youth Team.

"Declan has loads of potential and is very mature for his age," McGarry told FourFourTwo.

"He can take the ball under pressure and has a good range of passing. He’s also an athletic and fit young man which is crucial in today’s game. Declan is over in Scotland training at the moment with Richie Brittain’s reserve squad at Ross County.

"He has been part of my SMFC Academy the last two years and we got him across at Motherwell and Ross County last year, and Ross County have invited him back with a potential view to signing."