diff --git a/relay.ts b/relay.ts
index 0de4e11a..cc15d755 100644
--- a/relay.ts
+++ b/relay.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,13 @@
 import { verifyEvent } from './pure.ts'
 import { AbstractRelay } from './abstract-relay.ts'
 
+/**
+ * @deprecated use Relay.connect() instead.
+ */
+export function relayConnect(url: string): Promise<Relay> {
+  return Relay.connect(url)
+}
+
 export class Relay extends AbstractRelay {
   constructor(url: string) {
     super(url, { verifyEvent })