Middlesbrough have signed Aaron Connolly on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion until end of 2021-22 season.
Connolly has struggled for game time this season at the AMEX Stadium with just two goals in six appearances, after manging six goals in 34 appearances across the last two seasons combined which has led to the decision to loan the 21 year-old out to provide more game time.
This move consequently sees Connolly become the first loan signing of Chris Wilder’s reign as Boro manager since arriving in November 2021.
Speaking about the decision to sign Connolly on loan to boost Boro’s striking options after their current strikers only netted 11 goals so far this season, Wilder said: “I’m delighted. It’s an area of the pitch we need to improve in terms of competition for places.”
Acknowledging Connolly’s Premier League and international experience and Brighton’s technical footballing, Wilder continued: “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.”
On what he hopes Connolly will add to the squad, Wilder commented: “He gives us pace, can finish at the top of the pitch and gives us competition for the players around him.”
Brighton Head Coach, Graham Potter meanwhile insists that this loan move to Middlesbrough “represents a very good opportunity for Aaron to play more regular football.”
Speaking about Connolly’s limited game time this season within Brighton’s first-team squad, Potter added: “His opportunities here have not been as frequent as he would’ve liked this season, and the aim is that he will get more game time at Middlesbrough.
“Playing regularly will help him to continue his development, and at a club who are pushing for promotion and under a really highly regarded manager.”
Connolly could make his debut for Boro away at Mansfield in the Third Round of 2021-22 FA Cup on Saturday 8 January in a 12:15pm GMT kick-off.