Kilmarnock sign defender Mark Connolly

Mark Connolly was one of a large group of players released by League One side Crawley Town in May

Kilmarnock have signed central defender Mark Connolly after his release by League One side Crawley Town at the end of last season.

The 22-year-old, who has seven caps for Republic of Ireland U21s, has signed a three-year contract at Rugby Park.

Connolly cost Bolton a seven-figure sum when they took him from Wolves as a 17-year-old but he failed to make the first-team breakthrough.

He left Bolton for Crawley in 2012 and was a regular for two seasons.

The defender is manager Allan Johnston's fourth summer signing for Kilmarnock, following Jamie Hamill, Paul Cairney and Lee Miller.

He arrives with some experience of Scottish football having made his senior debut during a loan spell with St Johnstone in 2010, for whom he only played 45 minutes.