Republic of Ireland U19 international Aaron Connolly has won the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award for November.
The Galway native was in scintillating form for Brighton U23's during the month, scoring three goals in the league. He also netted a hat-trick in the 3-2 Checkatrade Trophy victory over Mk Dons, and looks one of the brightest prospects in Irish football at the moment.
His tally for the season now stands at an astounding 17 goals, and he looks set to make a first-team breakthrough on England's south coast. Having made his debut in the League Cup in August 2017, he recently travelled with Christ Hughton's squad for the away game in Cardiff, but did not make the final 18-man squad.
Delighted to have won the PL2 player of the month for November, been a good month personally and for the team🙌#BHAFC https://t.co/4HeBxSKZB2
— Aaron Connolly (@AaronConnolly_9) December 14, 2018
He certainly seems to be outgrowing the Premier League's reserve competition, and football at the highest level will surely be required for him to take his game to the next level. If that does not come at Brighton, the player seems to have plenty of other options.
He was recently linked with a move to the Bundesliga, with Champions League club Hoffenheim interested in his services. There have also been whispers that Manchester City and Manchester United are tracking his progress.
On the player's behalf, he certainly feels ready for first team football. He recently told Brighton's official website:
Ideally I’d want to stay here and push for a place in the first team, but if that doesn’t happen, then a loan move would be good for me.
Along with Tottenham's Troy Parrott, Ireland have two of the rising stars in the English game at the moment. Both players are also prolific goalscorer, a very encouraging sign for a team that struggles to find the back of the net.
With Connolly looking increasingly likely to go out on loan in January, a move to the Championship could mean a call-up to Mick McCarty's senior squad may not be too far away.
