Connolly joined Rangers from Arsenal for a fee in the region of £1m during the January transfer window 2008.

DOB – 24/09/87
Height – 6ft 2in
Weight – 13st 3lbs
Contract Expires - 2011

Connolly is a product of the Arsenal academy and, as with all players that grow up under the watchful eye of Arsene Wenger he’s extremely confident on the ball and technically proficient. Tall enough and strong enough to hold his own against the Championship’s more physical forwards, clean and crisp in the tackle and confident and assured when bringing the ball out from the back and distributing it - he’s a proper all round centre half.

Sadly QPR deficiancies at full back saw Connolly mostly used wide right and left during the 2008/09 season and while he was competent there, he was little more than that and nowhere near as impressive as he was on the occasions he made it into centre half. With QPR particularly strong at centre half it looks like Connors may have to make do with full back roles and he will need to work on his crossing if that is the case.

Connolly came to QPR’s attention while on loan at Colchester United and although he was scheduled to stay at Layer Road for the whole of the 2007/08 season Rangers made his parent club an offer in the region of £1m and that was enough for them to terminate the agreement with the U’s and sell him. Connolly was used in both full back positions and at centre half by Luigi De Canio and impressed supporters by looking comfortable in all roles.

He featured for Arsenal’s League Cup side and also spent time on loan at Bournemouth. Ended the 2007/08 season with a recall to the England Under 21 side although he had to withdraw from the squad through injury. All the signs point to a very bright future for Connolly at QPR.

Photo: Action Images

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