Connor Malley joins Rochdale AFC

Connor Malley

Rochdale Football Club has announced that midfielder Connor Malley has joined the club on a short-term deal after playing in a number of Dale’s pre-season friendlies during a trial period.

Malley spent time in Sunderland’s academy as a youngster, before moving to Middlesbrough in 2016. He made his debut for Boro last season before leaving the club in the summer.

The 22-year-old has had loan spells at Ayr United, Carlisle United and Gateshead over the last three seasons.

On signing for Dale, Malley said: “I’m delighted to finally get it over the line.

“Ever since I came in, I’ve felt like the manager has wanted me to be here. In the [friendly] games, he’s given me the license to express myself and show what I can do.

“Thankfully, he’s decided to put his trust in me and bring me to club.

“All the lads are great - it’s a great group to be involved with. The set-up here, the manager, the way he works with his players, it was a big pull for me to want to come here.”

The gaffer commented: “Connor trialled with us in pre-season and did very well. He’s missed a block of training since then so it will take him a bit of time to get up to speed.

“In terms of ability, we all saw what we could do, especially in the Scunthorpe friendly.

“He's a very good passer of the ball. He will keep the ball very well for us. It’s a bonus that he’s got a physical stature on the pitch as well.

“We don’t see it as blocking up a pathway for an Ethan [Brierley] or anything like that. It was a position that we looked a little bit short on once we got the injury to Liam Kelly [last week] and it adds competition.

“It’s a deal that suits us and a deal that suits Connor. We feel we’re in a good place to develop players, he wants to do that, he’s quite keen to be here and he’s turned down longer contracts at clubs to come to us.

“That shows the ambition of him but also shows us that we’re an attractive club to come to.