Aaron Connolly has secured a fresh start by signing with Sunderland as a free agent after bidding farewell to Hull City at the close of the last campaign. During his 18-month tenure with the Tigers, the Irish international faced a series of setbacks, primarily injury-related, that hindered his consistent involvement on the field.

While donning the Hull City jersey, Connolly made 33 appearances in the Championship, with just 17 of them as starts, but managed to net 10 league goals in the process (as per Fbref statistics). Sunderland is now banking on his goal-scoring prowess to bolster Régis le Bris’ squad this season, as the player commits to a one-year contract per BBC reports.

Speculation has risen regarding the move, with a Hull City supporter suggesting that Connolly possesses the potential to notch 15 to 20 goals in the Championship if he maintains his fitness levels. However, concerns have been raised about his ability to stay injury-free while at Sunderland.

Expressing admiration for Connolly’s capabilities, a Hull City pundit, Northgraves, shared insights with Football League World, stating, “Connolly certainly has talent, but the key concern is his fitness. Despite his limited starts, he showcased his prowess by notching eight goals last season, primarily from the bench.”

“If he manages to consistently feature and remain fit in the lineup, he could significantly contribute to our league campaign,” the pundit emphasized. “In my estimation, he could easily become a 15 to 20-goal scorer if he completes a full season of 46 matches. However, his injury woes persist, with fragility being a real issue.”

“In addition to his physical setbacks, there have been reservations about his off-field conduct, such as frequenting nightclubs,” continued Northgraves. “Perhaps a stable environment at Sunderland could reignite his passion and focus, providing him with the opportunity to unleash his true potential.”

Having excelled in the Premier League with Brighton and amassed international experience with Ireland, Connolly’s potential has been evident during his stint with Hull City. As he embarks on this new chapter with Sunderland, the hope remains that Connolly will secure a permanent place, maintain his fitness levels, and earn a long-term contract extension owing to his undeniable talent.

As Sunderland continues to soar in the Championship, currently holding a strong second position with five wins in their initial six fixtures, Connolly will strive to contribute towards their promotion aspirations, aiming to propel the Black Cats to success in the ongoing season.

Le Bris’ team currently shares the top spot for most goals scored in the league and now has Connolly at their disposal as part of their attacking arsenal.

Their new forward will have the opportunity to debut for Sunderland this weekend when they face Watford on 28 September at 3pm. However, he will have to compete with the in-form Eliezer Mayenda for playing time. The decision to sign Connolly hinges entirely on his fitness.

Bringing in Connolly poses a relatively low-risk gamble as he was a free agent, and the contract is only for one year. His addition brings valuable experience to the team, given his history in both the Premier League and Championship at just 24 years old.

Should he maintain his fitness, he is expected to contribute to scoring goals, as demonstrated by his successful stints at Hull. Connolly is known for his finishing abilities and consistent goal-scoring record at this level.

However, concerns about his fitness persist, and if these issues persist, he may find himself playing in only a few matches.