Connolly commits to the Albion with new long term deal

Brighton and Hove Albion’s Under 23 goal machine Aaron Connolly has committed his future to the club by signing a new contract through until the summer of 2022.

The striker, who turned 19 three days ago, has put pen to paper on a new three-and-a-half year deal to end speculation linking him with a move to Hoffenheim.

Connolly would have been out of contract this summer and the Bundesliga outfit were one of a number of clubs said to be interested in taking advantage of that situation, along with both Manchester United and Manchester City.

A move to Germany certainly would have been appealing to Connolly. Young British players such as Jadon Sancho at Borussia Dortmund, Ademola Lookman at Red Bull Leipzig and Reiss Nelson with Hoffenheim themselves have seen their careers take giant leaps forward thanks to the first team opportunities afforded to them in the Fatherland that simply don’t exist in England.

That would’ve been are the forefront of Connolly’s mind, especially as he is yet to make his league debut for the Albion. He did travel with the first team squad for the 2-1 defeat to Cardiff City, but fellow development squad forward Viktor Gyokeres was preferred for a spot on the bench.

Chris Hughton has clearly managed to convince Connolly that his future is best served by remaining at the Amex and hopes will now be high that he can be the first player to break through from development squad to first team since Solly March six years ago.

Connolly has scored 17 goals so far this season from 19 appearances for the Albion’s Under 23s. 11 of those have come in Premier League 2 against other development squads, two in the Premier League International Cup and five in the Checkatrade Checkatrade.com Trophy against League One and Two opponents.

That form against the likes of Luton Town, McDons and Peterborough United suggests that Connolly should be more than ready for a loan spell elsewhere in the Football League, but any plans to send him out for the remainder of the season to gain experience have been hit by a hamstring injury.

Aside from goals, Connolly has collected a host of personal accolades as well. He was named PL2 Player of the Month for November, one of four occasions that he was been nominated with the others coming in September, October and December.