ELF Championship side Middlesbrough have officially signed the Republic of Ireland’s Aaron Connolly on loan from Brighton until the end of the season.
The Galway striker has not scored in this Premier League campaign but did get two goals in a League Cup win over Swansea in September.
His most recent top-flight appearance was in December against Wolves at the Amex.
The 21-year-old made over 50 appearances for Brighton after scoring twice against Tottenham on his Premier League debut in 2019.
Since then, Connolly has only scored eight goals for the Seagulls and he now becomes Middlesbrough’s first signing of the January transfer window.
Watch our interview with @AaronConnolly_9 🗣📹 #UTB https://t.co/v2supQHLaR
— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) January 2, 2022
In a statement on Sunday morning in relation to the move, Boro boss Chris Wilder said;
“I’m delighted. It’s an area of the pitch we need to improve in terms of competition for places.
“He’s a young player he’s played in the Premier League a number of times, and he’s from a technical football club. He’s also played for his country.
“He gives us pace, can finish at the top of the pitch and gives us competition for the players around him.”
Brighton manager Graham Potter meanwhile has said the hope is Connolly can benefit from getting regular first-team football and come back to the club a better player.
“Aaron is at a stage where he needs to play football and if we can find the right fit then that will work him and for us.
“The hope and idea is that he will come back a better player having learned from his experiences.
“There comes a point where you need to play and let the football do the talking. We will then see from there.”
Connolly could make his Boro debut on Saturday when they travel to Mansfield Town in the FA Cup.
