Aaron Connolly completes Hull City return after Brighton deal agreed

Hull City have signed striker Aaron Connolly on a permanent contract from Premier League outfit Brighton and Hove Albion with the 24-year-old becoming Liam Rosenior’s fourth signing of the summer so far, with Acun Ilicali giving his thumbs up to the deal.

Connolly spent the second half of last season on loan at City but saw his campaign end after just five games when he picked up a foot injury in the draw at Stoke City.

That setback came after the Irishman had bagged a brace in a 3-0 home win over QPR and Connolly’s confidence looked to have returned after a difficult loan spell in Italy earlier in the season at Venezia which ended prematurely.

Boss Liam Rosenior has remained in regular contact with the Republic of Ireland international throughout the off-season and had initially opted to pursue other targets, but fresh talks with the striker and the Premier League club over recent weeks have seen a deal done, as reported by Hull Live earlier this month.

READ MORE: Liam Rosenior sets big challenge to in-form Hull City star Ozan Tufan

The permanent agreement sees Connolly sign a one-year contract with the Tigers agreeing an undisclosed fee to secure his services, bringing an end to his seven-year career on the South Coast.

Connolly was at City’s training ground in Cottingham on Thursday to undergo a medical which he came through with flying colours and train with his teammates, and was at the MKM Stadium for the 1-1 draw with FC Nantes on Saturday.

He’s since been in training with Rosenior’s men but it’s understood his fitness will be assessed ahead of the trip to Norwich City on Saturday for the Championship opener.

“I really like his football. He had a very unlucky injury and he has a good relationship with Liam,” Ilicali told Hull Live about the deal to reunite Rosenior and Connolly.”

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