James Alfred Connolly (born 2 November 2001) is a Welsh professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Bristol Rovers and the Wales under-21 national football team.[2]
![]() Connolly at Bristol Rovers in 2022. | |||
Personal information | |||
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Full name | James Alfred Connolly[1] | ||
Date of birth | (2001-11-02) 2 November 2001 (age 21) | ||
Position(s) | Central defender | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Bristol Rovers | ||
Number | 2 | ||
Youth career | |||
Blackburn Rovers | |||
2020–2021 | Cardiff City | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2021–2022 | Cardiff City | 0 | (0) |
2022 | → Bristol Rovers (loan) | 24 | (1) |
2022– | Bristol Rovers | 6 | (1) |
National team‡ | |||
2022– | Wales U21 | 1 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:47, 30 October 2022 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 11:24, 15 June 2022 |
Connolly began his career with Blackburn Rovers, signing a two-year scholarship contract with the club in June 2018.[3] Despite missing the majority of the 2019–20 season through an injury sustained in October 2019, Connolly had his scholarship extended by a further year[4] being released by the club at the end of the following season.[5] In June 2021, Connolly signed with Cardiff City.[citation needed] Connolly was retained by the club ahead of the 2022–23 season.[6]
On 8 January 2022, Connolly joined League Two side Bristol Rovers on loan for the remainder of the 2021–22 season.[7] He made his senior debut later that day in a 2–1 FA Cup Third Round defeat to Peterborough United, and his league debut came on 22 January 2022.[8] Connolly formed a solid defensive partnership with fellow Championship loanee Connor Taylor, being praised for his composure on the ball and his ability to adapt to the physical demands of League Two football.[9] Connolly scored a first senior goal in a vital match against promotion rivals Port Vale, turning home an Antony Evans cross to give Rovers the lead having fallen behind early on, Rovers going on to win 3–1.[10] Connolly's first season in professional football ended in success as Rovers were promoted on the final day of the season, a 7–0 victory moving Bristol Rovers into third place, beating Northampton Town to automatic promotion on goals scored.[11]
He re-joined Bristol Rovers on a permanent deal, transferring for an undisclosed sum, in June 2022, signing a three-year contract.[12] On 6 August 2022, Connolly scored his first goal since returning to the club on a permanent basis with the second in a 4–0 thrashing of Burton Albion.[13] On 27 August 2022, it was revealed that Connolly had suffered a stress fracture in his back that would see him out of action for a 'long period'.[14] On 29 October, Connolly made his return to first-team football as a substitute in a 4–2 defeat at Derby County.[15]
In May 2022, Connolly was called up to the Wales U21 team for the first time for the final 2023 U21 European Championship qualifiers against the Netherlands and Gibraltar.[16] Connolly made his debut in the latter of these matches as Wales won 2–0.[17]
Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
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Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Cardiff City | 2021–22[8] | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Bristol Rovers (loan) | 2021–22[8] | League Two | 24 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 1 |
Bristol Rovers | 2022–23[18] | League One | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 |
Career total | 30 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 2 |
Bristol Rovers F.C. – current squad | |
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