Republic of Ireland international Aaron Connolly has signed a two-year deal at League One side Leyton Orient.
The Galway native departed fellow London outfit Millwall following a short-term spell at the conclusion of the Championship season in May.
But the 25-year-old will now drop down a level to the English third tier for next season, with Orient having missed out on promotion to the Championship via the play-offs at the end of the previous campaign.
However, Connolly said he is relishing the opportunity to join up with Richie Wellens’ squad after a stop-start period in his career that has seen him play for Hull City, Sunderland and Millwall since leaving Brighton in the summer of 2023.
“I’m buzzing to be here. I met with the gaffer last Monday, and straight away we both wanted to get it done,” he told Leyton Orient’s club website.
“I’m delighted to be here, and the manager was a main factor in me coming here. I know the club just missed out on promotion last year, but we’re hoping to go one better this year.
“I had my first session today, and I’m delighted that the transfer is done now. It happened quite quickly, which is always good for a player.”
Orient head coach Wellens said he previously tried to sign Connolly when he was managing Swindon.
“He’s talented, quick, good on the ball and skilful,” he said.
“He’s got an eye for goal, and he scored twice on his Premier League debut for Brighton. The ability is all there, and when I met him recently I got a really good vibe off him. I sense that there is a burning desire for him to do well.
“If we can get Aaron firing, I have absolutely no doubt in his abilities.”
Connolly’s won the last of nine senior caps for Ireland was a 12-minute cameo against France during a Euro 2024 qualifier in September 2023.
The following year, he opened up about his struggles with alcohol, admitting that his Premier League breakthrough at Brighton and Hove Albion led to five years of off-the-field turmoil, having burst on to the scene in October 2019 when he scored a sensational brace in a 3-0 victory against Tottenham Hotspur as a 19-year-old
Elsewhere, Ireland Under-21 striker Mark O’Mahony has joined Reading on loan from Brighton.
The former Cork City player, who hails from Carrigaline, spent last season on loan at Portsmouth, scoring four goals in 14 games across all competitions for the Championship side.
But for next season he will continue his development at a Reading side managed by former Ireland international Noel Hunt, who took permanent charge of the team last December.
Reading narrowly missed out on the promotion play-offs in League One last season.
“Mark is a young hungry striker who wants to come in and develop at our club. He’s young and he wants to learn his trade after having a successful loan deal last year at Portsmouth in the Championship,” Waterford native Hunt told the club website.
“He learnt plenty whilst playing at that level, which will stand him in good stead for the upcoming season. He’s another player who has come through a really strong academy, and will be a great addition to our squad.”
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