Sunderland’s newest signing, Aaron Connolly, shared a 16-word message with fans after joining the club.

The Republic of Ireland international was a free agent after leaving Hull City last summer, but he has now been signed by Sunderland to bolster Régis Le Bris’s squad, currently sitting second in the Championship after six games.

The 24-year-old has signed a one-year deal until the end of the season at the Academy of Light. Following the announcement, Connolly took to Instagram to express his excitement, writing: “Over the moon to have signed for this massive football club @sunderlandafc let’s get to work.”

“Aaron needs the chance to re-establish himself and reshape the perception of him as a professional athlete,” Sunderland’s sporting director Krristjaan Speakman said on Tuesday evening following the announcement of the deal.

“It wasn’t long ago that he was scoring goals in the Premier League and representing his national team, but he has faced some setbacks. We all cope with challenges in our own way, and sometimes our responses aren’t perfect right away.”

“At Sunderland, he’ll have the right environment and support to thrive, along with the chance to showcase his skills. This next 17-game stretch after the international break is crucial, and we believe Aaron can significantly contribute to our squad during this time. We’re excited to help him settle in and support him throughout that process.”

Connolly, who watched Sunderland defeat Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, expressed his determination to repay the club’s trust in him.

“I feel very privileged to sign for Sunderland,” he stated on the club’s official website. “Even though I’ve only been here a short while, it’s clear how much this club means to its fans, and the atmosphere on Saturday really highlighted that.

“I want to honor that by performing well and giving back to the club by doing what I love most: scoring goals. After facing some challenges recently, I’m ready to advance my career and fully recognize the tremendous opportunity ahead of me.”

GET MORE NEWS HERE