Brighton & Hove Albion under-23 striker Aaron Connolly has agreed a new three-and-a-half year contract that keeps him at the club until June 2022.



Galway-born Connolly, who turned 19 earlier this week and is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, has been rewarded for his consistent goalscoring form with Albion’s under-23s.



Under-23 coach Simon Rusk commented, “Aaron has scored consistently for the under-23s this season, as he continues his development, and he deserves this new contract.



“Recently he’s been frustrated by injury, but we hope that it won’t be too long before he’s back on the training ground and out on the pitch, continuing the progress he’s made this season.”



Connolly, who has represented Republic of Ireland at under-19 level, has scored 17 goals this season in all competitions, including a hat-trick in an impressive 3-2 win over MK Dons in the Checkatrade Trophy last November.



That eye-catching display helped him win the Premier League 2 Player of the Month Award for November.