Morecambe have signed a loan deal for a Bristol Rovers defender.
With the acquisition of Bristol Rovers defender James Connolly, Morecambe have completed their 15th summer signing.
The 21-year-old has signed on a season-long loan having joining the Gas on a three-year agreement from Cardiff City 12 months ago.
Connolly is the first of two acquisitions targeted by Shrimps manager Derek Adams before the summer transfer window ends on Friday evening.
“James is a player we have been tracking for a while and have been interested in bringing to Morecambe,” Adams added.
“He is a young, hungry defender who has gained valuable experience with Bristol Rovers.”
“We are excited to work with James here and continue his development, while also pushing him to play a role in our season-long journey.”
Connolly, a Wales U21 international, began his career as a scholar with Blackburn Rovers before joining Cardiff in the summer of 2021.
He went on loan to Bristol Rovers for the second half of the 2021/22 season, when he helped them earn promotion to League One.
Connolly suffered a stress fracture in his back in August 2022 and was out for two months as a result of the permanent relocation.
After regaining fitness, he appeared 30 times for Rovers, including a 5-1 loss to Morecambe in January.
“Morecambe are a good club with a proven track record of helping to develop young players like myself and giving young players a chance to play if they are ready,” Connolly continued.
“That was a huge pull for me in coming here, and I’m looking forward to working (with) the manager, staff, and squad to continue improving myself and helping the team along the way.”
