‘We spoke about it’ – 29-year-old shares role in Sunderland’s bargain striker swoop
Sunderland midfielder Alan Browne revealed that the club spoke to him before signing his international teammate Aaron Connolly.
Sunderland have gone into the October International break top of the Championship after 10 games.
It has been a strong start to this campaign under new head coach Regis Le Bris. Last time out, the Black Cats maintained their unbeaten home record with a 2-2 draw against fellow promotion hopefuls Leeds United.
Summer signing Alan Browne’s prod forward was what led to the freak 96th-minute equaliser on Friday night. Leeds shot-stopper Illan Meslier was duped by the spinning ball and it trickled over the line to salvage a point for Le Bris and co.
Now, in the wake of the draw, Sunderland new boy Browne also shed light on how he has helped off the pitch at the Stadium of Light.
The Championship club recently moved to snap up Aaron Connolly for nothing, with the forward a free agent after departing Hull City in the summer. The striker is an international teammate of Browne’s, and the Irishman was consulted ahead of the move.
Speaking to The Northern Echo, Sunderland man Browne said:
“The club spoke to me briefly about him, although I don’t think I was the deciding factor.
“We spoke about it, and knowing him from the past and having played with him, there’s a top, top player there. It’s just a case of getting the best out of him.”
24-year-old Connolly is yet to make his first-team debut for Sunderland. The forward has been attempting to get up to speed after joining without having a pre-season.
However, he made his first appearance in red and white on Monday night, scoring the second goal in a 6-0 win for the club’s U21s. Connolly was taken off at half-time but it was a good first impression by the striker.
Be the first to comment