It may have come almost a month after the passing of the summer transfer deadline, but you would assume that with the arrival of free agent Aaron Connolly earlier this week, Sunderland have finally made their last signing until January.
The Republic of Ireland international had been without a club since leaving Hull City at the end of last season, and addressing his switch to Wearside, Black Cats sporting director Kristjaan Speakman said: “Aaron needs an opportunity to re-establish himself and to reset the perception of him as a professional athlete.
“It wasn’t long ago that he was scoring goals in the Premier League and playing for his national team, but he has suffered some setbacks. We all handle challenges differently and when it comes to responding, sometimes we don’t get it right immediately. At Sunderland, he’ll have the environment and support to perform and an opportunity to showcase his ability. It’s an important 17-game period following the next international break and we believe Aaron can add value to our squad during that period. We look forward to helping him settle and supporting him in that process.”
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Connolly himself added: “I feel very privileged to sign for Sunderland. I have only been up here for a short while, but it’s easy to see what this club means to people and the atmosphere on Saturday showed that. I want to represent that in the right way and pay back the faith the club has placed in me by playing well and doing what I love more than anything, which is scoring goals. I’m ready to move forward with my career after facing some challenges in recent times and I fully understand the huge opportunity I have ahead of me.”
And with Connolly looking as if he has completed Regis Le Bris’ squad at the Stadium of Light for the time being, now feels like as good a time as any to take a closer look at when his, and the rest of his teammates’, contracts in the North East are set to expire. Check out our full gallery below...
5. Dan Ballard - Summer of 2028
Arguably one of the finest pieces of business Sunderland did this summer was tying Ballard down to a new long-term contract on Wearside. | Dan Ballard by Chris Fryatt Photo: Dan Ballard by Chris Fryatt
6. Jenson Seelt - Summer of 2028
Seelt signed a five-year contract at Sunderland when he joined the club from Dutch side PSV Eindhoven for an undisclosed fee in 2023. The 21-year-old defender is not expected to play again this year after suffering a serious knee injury, but was spotted back out on the grass in training earlier this week. Photo: SAFC
7. Luke O'Nien - Summer of 2026
One of the most experienced members of Sunderland's squad, O'Nien still has a couple of years left to run on his current deal. | Frank Reid Photo: Frank Reid
8. Aji Alese - Summer of 2027
Currently sidelined with an ankle injury, Alese still has plenty of time left on his contract in the North East. | PA