Speaking candidly about his experience at Sunderland thus far and his lofty goals for the future, Aaron Connolly
With a wry smirk, Aaron Connolly reflects on his somewhat surprising new role as a “boring” football player who is also somewhat of a weathered veteran in comparison to the most of his new teammates.
He believes it’s also the happy he’s been when he first moved to Brighton & Hove Albion. The 24-year-old bravely and candidly discussed his battles with alcohol addiction in the years that followed his arrival in Wearside, as well as the mistakes he made as a result. Even though he knows he still has a long way to go, he feels as though he has begun a new chapter in his life barely over a month into his Sunderland career. He frequently uses the phrases “calm,” “quiet,” and “peace” as he considers his new beginning. He is enjoying his new role as the squad’s (relative) senior statesman, even though it has taken some getting used to.
He said, “It’s hard, you know, to flip that,” to The Echo.
“The older boys are reprimanding me, and I’ve always gotten away with being juvenile and playing around in training. I have to lead by example now. I feel dull! When I was talking to one of the boys about a typical day for me today, I thought, “I feel old.” I’ve changed a lot since I was at Brighton. I believe I’m growing up. But to be honest, I’ve had such a busy life for the past four or five years that a little quiet and boredom are welcome. I’m content to simply be a professional football player and am at ease with it.
“Part of going into rehab was to get that life back with family and friends, so the next club I went into I could give everything,” he stated.
“I wanted to be able to give everything I had both on and off the pitch, and I currently have that; I just need to be consistent about it.” To be honest, I haven’t felt happier in a very long time—possibly since I first moved to Brighton. Simply put, I’m at ease in my own company, something I was previously unable to achieve. It’s a pleasant sensation, but once more, I must maintain consistency.
Connolly agreed to a one-year contract with Sunderland, demonstrating the club’s and player’s practical desire to evaluate their future development before committing to a longer term. But the striker himself is clear: He is here to make an impression and secure a longer stay in a city that has rapidly begun to feel like home.
According to Connolly, “Of course [I’m hoping to stay],”
“It’s difficult to settle in after just a year at Hull. I had hoped to attend Hull for two years, but it didn’t work out. Instead, I was thinking about purchasing a property, etc. On the other hand, I’d like to settle down somewhere. I experienced that in Brighton, and after a time of flying, you’re bouncing around. This 26-year-old journeyman football player with nine or 10 clubs is not someone I want to be. Additionally, this is a club [to be at].
In order to settle here, he continued, “I stated when I arrived that I wanted to have somewhere in Sunderland [to live].”
It’s what I needed, and it’s a pleasant location. It’s a peaceful setting where I can resume my work and concentrate on football. I could easily imagine myself residing there for a while.
“I frequent a local gym, and you keep running with Sunderland supporters everywhere—at Tesco, the gym, etc. Many positive remarks have been made about me. It has a cosy vibe that is unmistakably reminiscent of being at home in Ireland. Since I believe that everyone is hard-working and somewhat similar, I receive a positive attitude that I haven’t always been able to get [in my career thus far].”
Connolly is eager for his first start and additional playing time, but he’s also willing to wait, appreciating Wilson Isidor’s outstanding play since taking on a central striking role while also realising that the season is long. As he works to reach his peak fitness, the Irishman is prepared to wait.
“It’s been brilliant, on and off the pitch,” he stated.
“There’s a positive feeling and the boys are clearly flying. Wilson is making it difficult right now, but it was the ideal moment to enter, and I’m just trying to work as hard as I can to make the starting XI. To be fair to him, he supports his big personality on the pitch, which is always nice to have in the dressing room. I’m here to encourage him to reach his full potential when he’s flying and scoring goals, and vice versa. Eliezer is also with us, and since we’re all encouraging one another, the club will only gain from that.
Connolly was speaking at Sunderland’s open training session on Tuesday at the Stadium of Light, where Regis Le Bris was putting the Black Cats through their paces in front of almost 2,000 spectators. Le Bris will probably have a lot of alternatives when the Black Cats visit QPR this weekend because Isidor and Mayenda trained extensively with Connolly.
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