Sunderland are close to securing the services of free agent Aaron Connolly, with the 23-year-old reportedly finalising his contract with the Championship club.
The Republic of Ireland international has been without a club since leaving Hull City at the end of last season, where he netted eight goals in 13 Championship starts. Connolly’s potential arrival comes as Sunderland sit second in the table, having made an impressive start to the season with 15 points from six games, just behind West Bromwich Albion.
Black Cats manager Regis Le Bris has been keen to add more depth to his attacking options, with current strikers Eliezer Mayenda, Wilson Isidor, and Nazariy Rusyn shouldering much of the responsibility. With Ahmed Abdullahi sidelined by a groin injury, Connolly’s arrival would offer a timely boost.
Connolly is known for his breakthrough at Brighton, where he gained early attention with a memorable brace against Tottenham in 2019. Despite showing promise, his career stalled after loan spells with Luton, Middlesbrough, and Serie B side Venezia. Reflecting on that period, Connolly has acknowledged he wasn’t as focused as he should have been, noting that his time in Italy helped him adopt a more professional approach.
His resurgence at Hull, particularly under the guidance of manager Liam Rosenior, has raised hopes for his next chapter. Rosenior was a huge fan of the striker after taking him to Hull, saying, “Aaron’s capable of anything he wants in his career if he stays on track. He’s not 100 per cent fit, which is scary. He’s a leader in the dressing room. He’s a massive influence and has really taken Liam Delap under his wing. Some of his runs and some of his movements are top-level. He knows when he needs a rocket, but he knows I love him as I’ve known him since he was 15.”
A move to Sunderland offers Connolly the chance to rebuild his career at a club aiming for promotion. If the deal is completed, it could prove beneficial for both parties, with Connolly looking to fulfil his potential in a side hungry for success.
Writer’s View
Connolly’s journey so far has been a tale of promise unfulfilled. Despite showing flashes of brilliance, most notably his two-goal display for Brighton against Tottenham in 2019, Connolly himself has admitted that he hasn’t yet reached his full potential, saying, “It’s a massive point in my career. I’m 23 next week, being 19 feels like a long time ago when I was playing in the Premier League [with Brighton] regularly. That’s down to me, and that’s stuff I’ve not been professional enough about.” Now 24, Connolly is at a pivotal moment in his career where he has the chance to truly deliver on the potential that once made him a rising star in English football.
Sunderland, in contrast, offers the perfect stage for his redemption. The Championship highflyers have ambitions of securing promotion, and Connolly could play a key role in adding firepower to their attack. With the Black Cats currently enjoying a strong start to the season, Connolly has the opportunity to slot into a team with momentum, giving him a chance to contribute to something special. For Connolly, this move represents a fresh start, but also a chance to prove to himself and his critics that he can be the player he was once tipped to become. If he can rediscover his best form, Sunderland could end up with a striker who’s ready to finally live up to his promise.
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