James Connolly

Following his move to Walsall, Connolly's current-season form is level with last season (Season 22→22), while his Rating held around 34. His peak season for form remains 2021/22 (Season 24).

Domestic career

Season	Club	Apps	G	Match	RTG	Season
2026/27	Walsall · 3rd	2	1	7.05	34	22
2025/26	Crewe · 11th	41	3	6.89	33	22
2024/25	Crewe · 13th	21	0	6.86	30	14
2023/24	Bristol Rovers · 15th	1	0	6.67	39	1
2023/24	MorecambeLoan · 15th	13	2	6.61	30	6
2022/23	Bristol Rovers · 17th	30	1	6.69	46	14

Domestic-league totals per season. RTG = Field Insider Rating (potential / ceiling); Season = age-blind form that year. 1 earlier season and 5 youth-team spells in the full career.

Wales · international

Side	Apps	G
Wales U21	1	0

Career caps & goals — tournament breakdown in the full career.

Scout report

Project playerCentral defender

J. Connolly is a 24-year-old central defender at Crewe, rated 33.3 overall by Field Insider's model. An emerging talent, he has been a regular starter this season (76.3% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 3.22 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Connolly.

On the season, Connolly graded 22 for current form (age-blind), on 7 clean sheets and 3.22 defensive actions per 90.

Year-on-year, that's broadly in line with last season (Season 22 → 22). Over the 6 seasons on record his form has held fairly steady, peaking in 2021/22.

On long-term talent our Rating reads 33. At 24 Connolly is in his prime years, and a market index of 3.9 reflects that trajectory.

From the career report

Read the full career report →

A career still climbing — Connolly is at his peak right now, and the curve hasn't flattened.

Peak: 2021/22Trending upRemarkably consistentStepped up 2022/234 clubs

33.3

Ratingi

below regular-starter level

21.8

Seasoni

below regular-starter level

76.3%

Minutes

a regular starter

3.22

Def. actions / 90

moderate defensive volume

Output in context · Crewe finished 11th of 24 · a mid-table side

Apps

3.22

Def. / 90

Tackles

Interceptions

Clean sheets

3.22 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — moderate defensive volume, with 7 clean sheets across 41 appearances. Going forward he chipped in 3 goals and 0 assists — a useful bonus from the back.

Strengths

Availability. On the pitch for 76.3% of available minutes — a dependable presence in the XI.

Watch points

Level. Rates below a nailed-on top-tier starter on our model.

Outlook

Rated 33.3 overall — below regular-starter level. Defensively he reads as moderate defensive volume (3.22 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). Approaching peak years; value is still building (price multiplier 2×) with the best seasons likely ahead.

Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.

Per 90 & availability

Minutes played %76.3%

Available fixtures46 of 46

Goals / 900.085

Assists / 900

Goal contribution / 900.085

Defensive actions / 903.22

Player flow

Goal involvements3

Cards / 900.199

Season-by-season progression

Rating (potential)Season (form)

Value & potential by age

Market valueRating

Solid = now · dashed = projected

The gold line is market value — an index (not €) blending rating, age and league. It climbs through the early 20s, peaks around ages 23–27 (~4), then tapers with age. At 24, Connolly sits on 3.9, at or near its peak. The blue line is Connolly's projected Rating — 33.3 today — recomputed at each age, so it follows the same rise-and-fall as a career matures and declines. Solid = up to today; dashed = projected.

Season statistics

Bars = where he ranks among centre-backs in the League Two with 600+ minutes this season.

Shooting

Goals3

Passing

Assists0

Defending

Tackles31

Interceptions37

Blocks45

Yellow/red cards

Yellow cards7

Red cards0

Transfer history

WalsallJun 2026 – nowFree

CreweAug 2024 – Jun 2026

Bristol Rovers(back from loan)Jan 2024 – Aug 2024

MMorecambe(on loan)Aug 2023 – Jan 2024

Bristol Roversuntil Aug 2023

About J. Connolly

James Connolly is a 24-year-old centre-back who plays for Walsall, born on November 2, 2001. He is from Wales. Walsall currently sit 3rd of 24 in the League Two.

This season

In the current season, J. Connolly has made 2 appearances with 1 goal and 0 assists across 180 minutes, with 1 yellow card.

J. Connolly's next match is on August 29, 2026, when Walsall face Accrington ST at home in the League Two.

Field Insider's view

Field Insider currently rates J. Connolly at 33.3 with a Season form score of 21.8. See the full scout report for strengths, watch-points and the market-value outlook.

Career

Across 10 recorded seasons, J. Connolly has totalled 175 club appearances with 12 goals and 0 assists for 6 different clubs. His busiest campaign came in 2025/26, with 41 appearances for Crewe.

J. Connolly's career has also included time at Crewe, Bristol Rovers and MMorecambe.

On the international stage, J. Connolly has represented Wales U21 — 1 cap in our records.

Transfer news

No transfer news found for this player.