Connolly was a free agent during the summer having been released by Hull City at the end of last season and was still without a club as the new English season began last month.

After recent disappointing spells at Middlesbrough and Italian side Venezia, the Galway man started last season well with eight goals in 22 Championship appearances before the New Year, but soon fell out of favour at the club and failed to make a league start across the final five months of the campaign.

With Sunderland eyeing promotion back to the Premier League, having made a good start to the season with five wins in six, the move is a huge chance for the 24-year-old to revive his career. Connolly first burst onto the scene with a top-flight brace for Brighton in a 3-0 win over Spurs in 2019.

At international level, he earned his senior debut under Mick McCarty that same year but has failed to score in his nine caps to date. He was out of the senior set-up for two years before winning a cap in Ireland’s Euro 2024 qualifying defeat away to France 12 months ago. That remains his most recent appearance for the Boys in Green, as Heimir Hallgrimsson names his squad for the October window in eight days’ time.

The opportunity to begin a new chapter with Regis Le Bris’ side is not lost on the former Mervue United man.

“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,” said Connolly, who will link up with fellow Irish international Alan Browne on Wearside.

“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.”

“Aaron needs an opportunity to re-establish himself and to reset the perception of him as a professional athlete,” added the club’s sporting director, Kristjaan Speakman.

“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.”

Sitting second in the Championship table, Sunderland are next in action away to Watford this Saturday where Connolly will look to make his first appearance.

Meanwhile, Premier League Wolves have snapped up highly-rated midfielder Luke O’Donnell from Derry City for an initial six figure fee.

The 17-year-old from Donegal earned his senior debut for the Candystripes last November before putting pen to paper on his first professional deal with the club shortly afterwards.

Wolves have been keeping tabs on the versatile Ireland U-17 international for some time, having also tried to sign him a year ago, but he has now made the move to Molineux and will link up with the club’s academy initially.

“Luke’s a boy we tried to sign a year ago so it’s been a real challenge for us,” said Wolves academy manager Jon Hunter-Barrett.

“He’s another versatile player who can play as a six, eight or even as a centre back, which he’s shown he can do for his national team. Luke’s a great height and shape, and an athletic mover who can manage the ball.

“We feel we can build a development block that’s going to be needed for him to sustain a career in the game moving forward.”

“It’s a great move for Luke and he is a player we think very highly of, so it’s no surprise that he has attracted the attention of a big club like Wolves,” added Derry CEO Sean Barrett.

“It’s very pleasing for us as a club that we’re developing players on a pathway. As well as giving lads the opportunity to move across the water, we’re also focused on providing local players for Derry City.

“For now though we just want to wish Luke every success at Wolves and we look forward to monitoring his progress there.”