Nathan Collins: Brentford complete £23m deal for Wolverhampton Wanderers defender
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Nathan Collins has made 14 appearances for the Republic of Ireland
Brentford have completed a club record £23m deal to sign defender Nathan Collins from fellow Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Republic of Ireland international, 22, who only moved to Wolves from Burnley for £20.5m last summer, joins on a six-year deal.
Collins made 31 appearances for Wolves last season, helping them to finish 13th in the top flight.
"I'm very pleased we've managed to sign Nathan," said head coach Thomas Frank.
"He has a lot of very good abilities that we value a lot. He's a composed and calm defender. His heading in both boxes is a big thing, both in open play and from set-pieces, which is massive in the Premier League.
"His character is really good, and we know that character is everything. He will fit into our culture, I have no doubt about that. I see leadership potential in Nathan. He's a perfect Brentford player - hungry and ambitious with a desire to learn."
Collins breaks his own record as the most expensive Irish player.
He spent one season at Burnley after joining them from Stoke City in the summer of 2021.
Wolves have turned down a £30m bid from Napoli for fellow defender Max Kilman, amid reports the club are struggling with Financial Fair Play issues.
Collins follows Wolves captain Ruben Neves away from Molineux after the 26-year-old joined Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal for a club record £47m.
Brentford have already paid in the region of £22m this summer to sign forward Kevin Schade after his successful loan spell with the club, and £11m for Netherlands goalkeeper Mark Flekken, both from Freiburg, as Thomas Frank continues to strengthen his squad.
Analysis
Phil Parry, BBC Radio London
For the second time this summer, Brentford have broken their transfer record and the arrival of Nathan Collins is an important piece in the jigsaw.
They needed extra recruitment into the central defensive area with the departure of Pontus Jansson and the likes of Ben Mee, Mathias Jorgensen and Ethan Pinnock all now in their 30s.
The Republic of Ireland international will bring his skills as a ball-playing defender to a team who like to bring it out from the back.
He has already proven to be a very effective defender and early in his career developed a reputation as a strong stopper with good physicality.
But observers have also seen his creative side, being able to carry the ball forward with dribbling skills and a good range of passing. He has also displayed his leadership potential by wearing the captain's armband. All these are characteristics which fit in with Frank's ideology.
Collins also fits the Brentford model of signing players who can improve the side now with their presence, but also add value to their potential for future sales.
And after short spells at his past three clubs, it will be interesting to see how he settles and whether west London becomes a more permanent home.
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