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Football

22nd Nov 2018

Hoffenheim tracking young Galway hotshot Connolly

Niall McIntyre

They’re taking notice of Aaron Connolly.

Eventually, there came a time when they couldn’t not.

The 18-year-old precarious talent from Galway has been lording it for Brighton’s under 23s in the League and in the Cup this year. A clinical striker with lots of pace, the youngster has been banging in the goals for the Seagulls every time he plays.

He’s scored nine in his last ten League games in the under-23 Premier League and Brighton are flying high there because of him. They’re up in fourth position, ahead of both Arsenal and Manchester City in the League and they had a run in the cup too.

Of course, that man Connolly was central to it. Brighton only played three Cup games but he scored five goals in those games, including a hat-trick against MK Dons.

“He’s got that finishing instinct, and he is in a confident place and has that radar for the back of the net at the moment,” said his coach Simon Rusk of the Irish youngster.

He’s been showing the type of form to get Republic of Ireland fans excited in this dreary time but according to Sky Sports, Irish eyes aren’t the only ones admiring the youngster.

German club Hoffenheim – who are in Man City’s Champions League group – have recently been trialling a tactic of scouting Premier League players on the periphery of their club’s first teams, and Connolly has caught their eyes and they intent to track his progress for the next while.

When he’s scoring goals like this stunner below from 0.43, it’s no wonder why.

Connolly has reportedly delayed on signing his new contract at Falmer Stadium, prompting speculation that he may be set to move away from the south coast.