Aaron Connolly (Irish footballer)
{{Short description|Irish footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Aaron Connolly
| image = Aaron Connolly 2023.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Connolly with Hull City in 2023
| full_name = Aaron Anthony Connolly{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/1697050 |title=Premier League clubs publish 2019/20 retained lists |publisher=Premier League |date=26 June 2020 |access-date=9 July 2020}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|1|28|df=y}}{{cite web|url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/21653/Aaron-Connolly/overview |title=Aaron Connolly |publisher=Premier League |accessdate=11 November 2019}}
| birth_place = Oranmore, County Galway, Ireland
| position = Forward
| currentclub = Millwall
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = 2005–2011
| youthclubs1 = Maree/Oranmore FC
| youthyears2 = 2011–2016
| youthclubs2 = Mervue United
| youthyears3 = 2016–2019
| youthclubs3 = Brighton & Hove Albion
| years1 = 2017–2023
| clubs1 = Brighton & Hove Albion
| caps1 = 45
| goals1 = 5
| years2 = 2019
| clubs2 = → Luton Town (loan)
| caps2 = 2
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2022
| clubs3 = → Middlesbrough (loan)
| caps3 = 18
| goals3 = 2
| years4 = 2022–2023
| clubs4 = → Venezia (loan)
| caps4 = 5
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2023
| clubs5 = → Hull City (loan)
| caps5 = 5
| goals5 = 2
| years6 = 2023–2024
| clubs6 = Hull City
| caps6 = 28
| goals6 = 8
| years7 = 2024–2025
| clubs7 = Sunderland
| caps7 = 10
| goals7 = 1
| years8 = 2025–
| clubs8 = Millwall
| caps8 = 14
| goals8 = 1
| nationalyears1 = 2016–2017
| nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland U17
| nationalcaps1 = 10
| nationalgoals1 = 7
| nationalyears2 = 2017–2018
| nationalteam2 = Republic of Ireland U19
| nationalcaps2 = 3
| nationalgoals2 = 1
| nationalyears3 = 2019–2022
| nationalteam3 = Republic of Ireland U21
| nationalcaps3 = 13
| nationalgoals3 = 1
| nationalyears4 = 2019–
| nationalteam4 = Republic of Ireland
| nationalcaps4 = 9
| nationalgoals4 = 0
| club-update = 23:23, 28 April 2025 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 22:26, 7 September 2023 (UTC)
}}
Aaron Anthony Connolly (born 28 January 2000) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a forward for Millwall and the Republic of Ireland national team.
Club career
=Brighton & Hove Albion=
Connolly was born in Galway and started his career in the youth team of Maree/Oranmore FC in 2005.{{cite web|url=http://mareeoranmorefc.ie/articles/31081 |title=Club News – League and Cup Action and Former Player starts in Premiership |publisher=Maree/Oranmore FC |access-date=11 November 2019}} He joined Mervue United's youth team at the age of 11.{{cite web |title=Interview: Aaron Connolly |url=https://www.eire.guide/2017/01/17/interview-aaron-connolly/ |publisher=Eire Guide |access-date=3 October 2017}} In the summer of 2016 he joined Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion on trial, impressing enough for the club to offer him a two-year scholarship with the under-18 side. He was fast-tracked in the under-23 side and also went on to make his debut for the first team at the age of 17 when he appeared as a substitute for Tomer Hemed in the 1–0 EFL Cup win over Barnet in August 2017.{{cite news|title=Brighton and Hove Albion v Barnet: Big chance for Aaron Connolly and Jayson Molumby |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/15486928.brighton-and-hove-albion-v-barnet-big-chance-for-aaron-connolly-and-jayson-molumby/ |newspaper=The Argus |first=Andy |last=Naylor |date=22 August 2017 |access-date=3 October 2017}} He signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract with Brighton on 31 January 2019.
==Loan to Luton Town==
On 31 January 2019, Connolly joined League One leaders Luton Town on loan for the remainder of the 2018–19 season.{{cite web|title=Striker heads out on loan |url=https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/2019/january/striker-heads-out-on-loan |publisher=Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. |date=31 January 2019 |access-date=1 February 2019}} He officially joined up with Luton on 2 April 2019 after returning from injury. Connolly made his football league and Luton debut on 13 April coming on in the 68th minute at 1–1 away to Charlton. Luton went on to lose 3–1 at The Valley.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47836021 |title=Charlton Athletic 3–1 Luton Town |website=BBC Sport |date=13 April 2019 |access-date=13 April 2019}}
==Return to Brighton==
On 27 August 2019, Connolly scored his first senior goal in a 2–1 away win over Bristol Rovers in the EFL Cup.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49402996 |title=Bristol Rovers 1–2 Brighton: Late Glenn Murray winner sees Brighton beat Bristol Rovers |first=Tom |last=Garry |website=BBC Sport |date=27 August 2019 |access-date=31 August 2019}} He made his league debut for Brighton four days later, coming on as a substitute for Neal Maupay in the 66th minute of a 4–0 defeat away to Manchester City.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49456557 |title=Manchester City 4–0 Brighton & Hove Albion |first=Neil |last=Johnston |website=BBC Sport |date=31 August 2019 |access-date=31 August 2019}} Connolly made another appearance from the bench in The Seagulls' next fixture, a 1–1 home draw against Burnley on 14 September.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49617984 |title=Brighton & Hove Albion 1–1 Burnley |website=BBC Sport |first=Ben |last=Collins |date=14 September 2019 |access-date=15 September 2019}}. He made his first Premier League start on 5 October in a match against Tottenham Hotspur where he scored his first two Premier League goals in the 3–0 home victory.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49861471 |title=Brighton & Hove Albion 3–0 Tottenham Hotspur |website=BBC Sport |first=Ben |last=Collins |date=5 October 2019 |access-date=5 October 2019}} Connolly's next goal came in the last game of the season in a 2–1 away win over Burnley, finishing the season with three goals in 24 league appearances.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53460585|title=Burnley 1–2 Brighton: Yves Bissouma's stunning strike sees of Clarets |website=BBC Sport |date=26 July 2020|access-date=26 July 2020}}
He signed a new four-year contract with Brighton in July 2020.{{cite web|url= https://www.the42.ie/aaron-connolly-brighton-contract-5163751-Jul2020/|title =Ireland's Aaron Connolly earns new four-year contract with Brighton|date=30 July 2020|work=The 42|access-date=31 July 2020}}
Connolly scored his first goal of the 2020–21 season in Brighton's second league match scoring The Albion's third in a 3–0 away win at Newcastle.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54135433|title= Newcastle United 0–3 Brighton & Hove Albion: Neal Maupay scores two in superb Seagulls win |website=BBC Sport |date=20 September 2020|access-date=20 September 2020}} He scored his second goal of the season on the second day of the new year tapping The Seagulls into the lead in an eventual 3–3 draw in which he came off injured at the break against Wolves.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55450390|title=Brighton 3–3 Wolves: Lewis Dunk salvages point for Seagulls |website=BBC Sport |date=2 January 2021|access-date=2 January 2021}} Connolly came on as a substitute in Brighton's 1–0 away victory over defending champions Liverpool on 3 February claiming their first league win at Anfield since 1982.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/55820950 |title=Liverpool 0–1 Brighton & Hove Albion: Steven Alzate scores in shock win|website=BBC Sport |date=3 February 2021|access-date=3 February 2021}}
Connolly scored his first goal of the 2021–22 season scoring a brace and the only goals in the 2–0 EFL Cup third round home victory over Swansea City on 22 September.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58566907|title=Brighton & Hove Albion 2–0 Swansea City: Aaron Connolly double sends Seagulls through |date=22 September 2021|accessdate=22 September 2021|website=BBC Sport}}
He made his first Premier League start of the campaign on 15 December, where his fourth overall league appearance of the season only lasted 61 minutes, being replaced by Alexis Mac Allister in the 1–0 home defeat against Wolves.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59573772 |title=Brighton 0–1 Wolves: Romain Saïss goal takes visitors up to eighth in Premier League |website=BBC Sport |date=15 December 2021 |accessdate=16 December 2021}}
==Loan to Middlesbrough==
On 2 January 2022, Connolly joined Championship club Middlesbrough on loan until the end of the season.{{cite news|url= https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/2435176/aaron-connolly-joins-middlesbrough-on-loan|title= Aaron Connolly joins Middlesbrough on loan|publisher=Brighton & Hove Albion|date=2 January 2022|accessdate=2 January 2022}} He made his Boro and Championship debut on 15 January, playing 67 minutes before being replaced by fellow loanee Folarin Balogun in the eventual 2–1 home victory over Reading.{{cite news|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59918618|title= Middlesbrough 2–1 Reading: Matt Crooks double gives Boro victory |website=BBC Sport|date=15 January 2022|accessdate=15 January 2022}} Connolly featured as a substitute in the eventual penalty shootout victory over Manchester United in the FA Cup fourth round at Old Trafford on 4 February.{{cite news|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/59989007|title= FA Cup LIVE: Man Utd v Middlesbrough score, commentary & updates from fourth-round tie – Live |website=BBC Sport|date=4 February 2022|accessdate=12 February 2022}} Eight days later he scored his first goal for Boro, in the 4–1 home victory over Derby County, putting Middlesbrough into a play-off spot.{{cite news|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60268844|title=Middlesbrough 4–1 Derby County: Play-off hopefuls Boro move into top six |website=BBC Sport|date=12 February 2022|accessdate=12 February 2022}} It took Connolly eight further games to score his second goal for the side, opening the scoreline in the 2–0 away win over Birmingham City on 15 March.{{cite news|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60656890|title=Birmingham City v Middlesbrough |website=BBC Sport|date=15 March 2022|accessdate=15 March 2022}}
==Loan to Venezia==
On 14 July 2022, Connolly joined Italian Serie B club Venezia on a loan deal for the 2022–23 season.{{cite web|url= https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/2677764/aaron-connolly-joins-venezia-on-season-long-loan|title= Aaron Connolly joins Venezia on season-long loan|date=14 July 2022|publisher=Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|access-date=14 July 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.irishpost.com/sport/aaron-connolly-has-spoken-about-his-move-to-italy-says-im-in-a-better-headspace-237538|title=Aaron Connolly has spoken about his move to Italy says 'I'm in a better headspace'|publisher=irishpost.com|accessdate=24 August 2022}}
==Loan to Hull City==
On 6 January 2023, Connolly returned early from Venezia and joined Hull City on a loan deal until the end of the season.{{cite web|url= https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/3011976/connolly-heads-to-hull|title= Connolly heads to Hull|date=6 January 2023|publisher=Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|access-date=6 January 2023}} He made his debut a day later, coming on as 61st minute substitute replacing Harvey Vale, in the 2–0 FA Cup third round home loss to Premier League opposition Fulham.{{cite news|url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64167919|title= Hull City 0–2 Fulham: Premier League side progress to FA Cup fourth round|date=7 January 2023|website=BBC Sport|accessdate=7 January 2023}} On 28 January, Connolly's 23rd birthday, he scored his first Hull goals, netting two in the 3–0 home win over Queens Park Rangers.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64356315|title=Hull City 3–0 Queens Park Rangers: Aaron Connolly scores twice in Tigers win|website=BBC Sport|date=28 January 2023 |accessdate=30 January 2023}}
=Hull City=
On 2 August 2023, Connolly signed a one-year deal with Hull City for an undisclosed fee.{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2023/august/02/connolly-completes-permanent-city-switch/|title=Connolly completes permanent City switch|date=2 August 2023|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=2 August 2023}}
On 12 August 2023, Connolly came off the bench against Sheffield Wednesday to score his first goal as a permanent player for Hull City.{{cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66413355 | title = Hull City 4–2 Sheffield Wednesday | date = 12 August 2023 | work = BBC Sport | accessdate = 12 August 2023}} On 19 May 2024, the club announced he would be released in the summer when his contract expired.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-18 |title=Greg Docherty to leave as Hull City release seven players |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c4nnepdpr0ko |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}
=Sunderland=
On 24 September 2024, Connolly joined Championship side Sunderland on a one-year deal.{{cite web|url=https://www.safc.com/news/2024/september/24/aaron-connolly-joins-sunderland-afc/|title=Aaron Connolly joins Sunderland AFC|website=www.safc.com|date=24 September 2024|accessdate=25 September 2024}} On 23 November 2024, Connolly scored his first goal for Sunderland in a 1-1 draw at Millwall. The game was temporarily suspended towards the end of the first half because of a medical emergency in the crowd.{{Cite web |title=Millwall 1-1 Sunderland: Substitute Femi Azeez scores added-time equaliser for Lions |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c2e72w8k484t |access-date=2024-11-23 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}
=Millwall=
On 16 January 2025, Connolly signed for fellow Championship club Millwall on a permanent basis.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/clynk9g758yo.amp|title=Aaron Connolly: Millwall sign Republic of Ireland forward from Sunderland|date=16 January 2025|website=BBC Sport|accessdate=4 February 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.millwallfc.co.uk/news/2025/january/16/millwall-announce-aaron-connolly-signing/|title=Millwall announce Aaron Connolly signing|date=16 January 2025|accessdate=4 February 2025|publisher=Millwall F.C.}} He scored his first goal for the club on 1 February 2025 in a 2–1 win at home to Queens Park Rangers, opening the scoring after just 30 seconds.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/aaron-connolly-makes-his-mark-for-millwall-with-a-quick-fire-goal/a987234596.html|title=Aaron Connolly makes his mark for Millwall with a quick-fire goal|date=1 February 2025|website=www.independent.ie|accessdate=4 February 2025}}
International career
Connolly has represented the Republic of Ireland at under-17, under-19 and under-21 level.{{cite web |title=Aaron Connolly |url=https://www.uefa.com/under17/season=2017/teams/player=250105166/profile/index.html |publisher=UEFA |access-date=3 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004153608/https://www.uefa.com/under17/season=2017/teams/player=250105166/profile/index.html |archive-date=4 October 2017}} He was leading goalscorer in the qualifying stage for the 2017 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, scoring seven goals in six matches.{{cite web |title=Aaron Connolly leads the UEFA goal chart – after putting football before hurling |url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/15177152.Albion_prospect_Connolly_leads_the_Euro_goal_chart___after_putting_football_before_hurling/ |publisher=Eire Guide |date=23 March 2017 |access-date=3 October 2017 |last=Owen |first=Brian}} He featured in all four matches in the final tournament held in Croatia, but failed to score as Ireland were eliminated by England in the quarter-finals.
Connolly was included in the Republic of Ireland U21 squad for the 2019 Toulon Tournament. Connolly started Ireland's opening group match vs China U23 and marked it with a goal and an assist for Zak Elbouzedi in a 4–1 win.{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2019/0603/1053243-ireland-u21s-impress-in-demolition-of-china-in-toulon/ |title=Ireland U21s impress in demolition of China in Toulon |website=RTÉ Sport |first=John |last=Fallon |date=3 June 2019 |access-date=4 June 2019}}
On 5 October 2019, he received his first call-up for the Republic of Ireland senior team for the Euro 2020 qualifying matches against Georgia and Switzerland.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49948157 |title=Aaron Connolly: Brighton winger called up to Republic of Ireland squad |website=BBC Sport |date=5 October 2019 |access-date=12 October 2019}} He made his debut against Georgia on 12 October 2019, replacing James Collins when he came on as a substitute in the 79th minute in the 0–0 away draw.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/match?gameId=528926 |title=Georgia 0–0 Republic of Ireland |website=ESPN |date=12 October 2019 |access-date=12 October 2019}}
After over a year without a cap at senior level, Connolly made a return to the Republic of Ireland U21 side in November 2022, when he was called up for their double header of games against Israel U21 in the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualification Play-offs.{{cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40966118.html|title=Aaron Connolly: I've made so-called mistakes but I'm ready to focus on football|first=John|last=Fallon|date=21 September 2022|website=Irish Examiner|accessdate=23 September 2022}}
Personal life
On 10 October 2024, World Mental Health Day, Connolly spoke of his alcohol addiction issues and the impact it had on his football career.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c5yw8z4jy0ro|title=Sunderland: Striker Aaron Connolly talks about alcohol addiction|publisher=BBC Sport|date=10 October 2024|accessdate=11 October 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.safc.com/news/2024/october/10/my-story--aaron-connolly/|title=My Story: Aaron Connolly|website=www.safc.com|date=10 October 2024|accessdate=11 October 2024}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played on 21 April 2025}}
| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|National Cup{{efn|Includes FA Cup & Coppa Italia}} !colspan=2|League Cup{{efn|Includes EFL Cup}} !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan=3|Brighton & Hove Albion U21
|colspan=3|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 2{{efn|name=EFLT|Appearances in EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||
| 2018–19
|colspan=3|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 3{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 5 | 3 | 5 | ||||
| colspan=2|Total
!colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | ||||
| rowspan=6|Brighton & Hove Albion
|2017–18{{soccerbase season|107304|2017|accessdate=9 February 2019}} |rowspan="5"|Premier League |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2018–19
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2019–20{{soccerbase season|107304|2019|accessdate=31 August 2019}}
|24 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | colspan=2|— | 27 | 4 | ||
| 2020–21{{soccerbase season|107304|2020|accessdate=26 January 2021}}
|17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 17 | 2 | ||
| 2021–22{{soccerbase season|107304|2021|accessdate=22 September 2021}}
|4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | colspan=2|— | 6 | 2 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!45 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | colspan=2|— | 52 | 8 | ||
| Luton Town (loan)
|2018–19{{soccerbase season|107304|2018|accessdate=5 May 2019}} |2 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 2 | 0 | ||||
| Middlesbrough (loan)
|18 | 2 | 2 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 20 | 2 | |||
| Venezia (loan)
|2022–23{{soccerbase season|107304|2022|accessdate=14 August 2022}} |5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 5 | 0 | |||
| Hull City (loan)
|2022–23https://int.soccerway.com/players/aaron-anthony-connolly/453853/ |rowspan="2"|Championship |5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 6 | 2 | |||
| rowspan=2|Hull City
|28 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 30 | 8 | ||
| colspan=2|Total
!33 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 36 | 10 | ||
| Sunderland
|Championship |10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 11 | 1 | |||
| Millwall
|Championship |14 | 1 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 14 | 1 | ||||
| colspan=3|Career total
!127 | 19 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 145 | 27 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played 7 September 2023}}
| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="6"|Republic of Ireland | |||
| 2019 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2021 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total||9||0 |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{Millwall F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Connolly, Aaron}}
Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers
Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers
Category:Republic of Ireland men's international footballers
Category:Association footballers from Galway (city)
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Mervue United A.F.C. players
Category:Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. players
Category:Luton Town F.C. players
Category:Middlesbrough F.C. players
Category:Hull City A.F.C. players
Category:Sunderland A.F.C. players
Category:Millwall F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Premier League players
Category:Republic of Ireland expatriate men's association footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England
Category:Irish expatriate sportspeople in England
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy