Connor Mahoney

Career

Initially starting out at Burnley and Blackburn Rovers, Mahoney moved to Accrington Stanley, where he progressed through the academy and began his career there. He then made his professional debut on 28 August 2013 in a 2–0 League Cup defeat against Cardiff City. He then went on to make his league debut coming on as a substitute for Shay McCartan in the 1–0 home defeat to Burton Albion on 31 August 2013. By the time of his departure from Accrington Stanley, Mahoney went on to make 6 appearances.

Blackburn Rovers

Mahoney signed for Blackburn Rovers on 13 December 2013 and linked up with their development squad. He made an immediate impression and was given squad number 31 for the first team. He was an unused substitute in an 2–1 win against Leeds United at Elland Road on 1 January 2014.

Mahoney made his competitive debut for Blackburn Rovers on 15 January against Manchester City in the FA Cup, replacing Lee Williamson in the 89th minute of the match. On 12 February 2014, he signed his first professional contract with the club. Following this, Mahoney would spend the next two seasons at the club's reserve, where he develops along the way.

After making no first team appearances in the 2014-15 season, Mahoney said he's making his way to make a breakthrough in the first team for the 2015-16 season. Having played in the reserve side throughout the 2015-16 season, Mahoney made his first Blackburn Rovers' appearances in two years, where he started and played 71 minutes before being substituted, in a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest on 19 April 2016. He also made another appearance, in the follow up match, in a 2-2 draw against Bristol City. At the end of the 2015-16 season, he made 2 appearances for the side.

In the 2016-17 season, Mahoney continued to remain in the reserve side at the start of the season, although he appeared twice as an unused substitute in late-August. In late-December, Mahoney began to appear in the number of the games as an unused substitute. Mahoney remained at the club, even if they turned down a loan bids from League One clubs for him. He then made his first appearance of the 2016-17 season, coming on as a second-half substitute, in a 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers on 4 February 2017. Following this, Mahoney received a handful of first team appearances amid Blackburn Rovers fighting to survive relegation in the Championship. Then, he set up an equalising goal for Derrick Williams, in a 1-1 draw against Cardiff City on 7 March 2017. In the follow up match against Norwich City four days later, he set up a goal for Lucas João, who scored twice, in a 2-2 draw. On 14 April 2017, in a match against Nottingham Forest, Mahoney also set up a goal for Tommie Hoban, who scored the only goal in the game, to help the club retained their next season status in the Championship. At the end of the 2016-17 season, which saw Blackburn Rovers relegated to League One, he went on to make 21 appearances in all competitions.

AFC Bournemouth

Following Blackburn Rovers' relegation, Mahoney was offered a new contract by the club. However, he waslinked with a move away from the club, as he increasingly attracted interests from Nottingham Forest and Celtic. However, it was reported that Mahoney turned down a contract extension at Blackburn Rovers and was set to leave the club. On 26 June 2017, it was reported that Mahoney was in advanced talks over a move to Premier League side AFC Bournemouth. The move was later confirmed on 4 July 2017, signing a four-year contract with the club.

International career

In January 2014, he was called up by England U17 for the first time. Mahoney made his England U17 (and his only appearance for the side) debut, in a 2-1 loss against Belgium U17 on 30 January 2014.

Eight months later, in September 2014, Mahoney was called up by England U18. Four days later, he made his England U18 debut, in a 2-0 loss against Italy U18.

Career statistics

Personal life

Born in Blackburn, England, Mahoney attended Witton Park High School. Mahoney grew up supporting Blackburn Rovers. He has a brother, Dom Mahoney, who's also a footballer.