Sunderland look set to sign free agent striker Aaron Connolly, who was released by Hull City this summer.
Sunderland have made good use of the free agent market this summer, bringing in the likes of Blondy Nna Noukeu, Alan Browne, Simon Moore, and Ian Poveda for nothing.
It’s not often a market that Sunderland and sporting director Kristjaan Speakman exploit, but they have this summer, and they’re set to do so once again.
Reports claim that Sunderland are set to sign Aaron Connolly on a free transfer following his release by Championship rivals Hull City at the end of last season.
The former Brighton striker scored eight in the Championship last season, making 13 starts and 23 appearances in all the league.
Connolly’s apparent arrival at the Stadium of Light has split opinion among Sunderland fans social media.
His injury record is certainly a cause for concern, and maybe particularly so for Sunderland going off one of their summer signings.
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Ian Poveda enduring early struggles with Sunderland
There was a lot of hype when Sunderland signed Poveda during the summer transfer window.
Following his impressive loan stint with Sheffield Wednesday in the second half of last season, the Colombian was hot property.
He had interest from several clubs in the Championship but joined Sunderland, and like Connolly, there was a lot of debate around the signing.
Fans were understandably worried about Poveda’s injury record, and those worries may well have been fulfilled with Poveda having barely played this season.
The 24-year-old has played just 18 minutes of Championship football and has been left out of the lat two matchday squads.
Although Poveda may largely out of the side because of the form of Romaine Mundle, he can play in other positions or come off the bench, yet he isn’t even on the bench, possibly signalling a lack of fitness, at least for the levels required by Sunderland.
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Sunderland risk Poveda repeat with Aaron Connolly signing
Poveda and Connolly feel like two very similar signings for Sunderland, simply in different positions.
Striker remains a position that the Black Cats are light in and so that explains Connolly’s arrival, and he has a good recent goals tally in the second tier which suggests that he definitely has the potential to be a good signing.
For Sunderland, after seeing how Poveda’s struggled to bed in, they may be fearful of giving Connolly a three-year deal like they did Poveda, and simply give him a deal until the end of the season, and extend accordingly.
But if Connolly can hit the ground running at Sunderland then he could prove to be a very shrewd signing.