BURNLEY SET TO SIGN STOKE DEFENDER
Posted on July 4, 2021 in Stoke
Burnley are on the verge of signing young defender Nathan Collins from English Championship giants Stoke City. According to the report from the Stoke Sentinel, the Clarets have agreed an initial fee of £12m for the Stoke City Academy graduate. The fee agreed between the two clubs will make Collins the most expensive graduate from the Stoke City Academy.
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Collins signed for Stoke City from Cherry Orchard in Dublin at the age of 15 and he went on to slot into the u-16 team. The Republic of Ireland quickly became an important part of the youth setup at the Britannia Stadium under the watchful eyes of coaches like Dave Hibbert, Kevin Russell, and Rich Walker. Collins played his first game for the senior team at the age of just 17 and he went on to captain the team at 18. The defender was a regular at 19 and is yet to move to the Premier League at 20.
Stoke City defender Collins has always been linked with clubs in the top flight in England and Germany and it’s no surprise that Burnleyare closing in on his signing. He was linked with German Bundesliga club Werder Bremen and Premier League giants Manchester United in 2019. Collins was then linked with the London duo of Arsenal and Chelsea in 2020. Burnley and Leicester City are the latest clubs interested in him this year.
Republic of Ireland youth player Collins has a solid pedigree in addition toexcellent athleticism, character and technique. Collins comes from a solid football background. His dad Dave was once at Liverpool and also played with Manchester United legend Roy Keane for the Republic of Ireland u-21s. He played under Denis Smith at Oxford United.