Nathan Collins' long drawn out move from Wolves to Brentford was finally confirmed by the club today, with the 22-year-old Irish international centre-back signing on for an Irish record and club record fee of £23 million.
It is a six year contract, with the option of a further two years, and the latest in a slew of incredibly positive Premier League transfers for Irish players, following Dara O'Shea's move to Burnley and Chiedozie Ogbene's move to Luton Town.
With Brentford, Collins will be playing alongside a former teammate in Ben Mee, whom Collins played with while both men were at Burnley.
After a stint at caretaker manager at Burnley, Mee moved to Brentford in 2022, and in an interview on Brentford's website, Collins spoke about their relationship.
I’ve been texting him a little bit. He’s been helping me out. He helped me out a lot at Burnley when I first went in there. He’s a legend.
He was good [as caretaker assistant manager]! We won a few games under him, so he might have a career there!
Nathan Collins Secures Brilliant Move To Brentford
✍ Welcome to Brentford, Nathan Collins pic.twitter.com/FnraLE7asi
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) July 4, 2023
READ HERE: Nathan Collins: Taking a Family's Football Legacy To New Heights
"It feels good. It’s been going on a while now so I’m happy we’re over the line," he added when asked how he was feeling now that the move was finally done.
“I talked with the manager and a few of the backroom staff about the project here. It’s a club on the rise and I can see where they want to go. It’s exciting to be here.
“I like to play football. I want to dribble, play and create. It starts at the back. I can play long balls and short balls. But, at the end of the day, I’m a defender and I have to head the ball, win it and win my challenges.
“[Me and Thomas Frank] have talked a lot. He’s said what he likes about me and has a plan in place.”
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