Nathan Collins


Nathan Michael Collins is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a centre back for EFL Championship club Stoke City.

Career

Stoke City

Collins began his career with youth club Cherry Orchard where his father David and uncle Eamonn both started their careers at. He joined English side Stoke City in January 2016 after being recommended by scout Tony Bowen, assistant manager Mark Bowen's brother. Collins made his professional debut on 9 April 2019 away at Swansea City. His first start came 10 days later when he played the full 90 minutes of Stoke's 1–0 loss away to Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium. Collins signed a new five-year contract with Stoke in July 2019.
Collins started the first few matches of the 2019–20 season and was given the captains armband by Nathan Jones against Leeds United, becoming Stoke's youngest captain in the process. He was went-off for the first time in his career in a EFL Cup defeat at Crawley Town for a mis-timed challenge on Panutche Camará. Collins remained on the fringes of the first-team for the rest of the season under the management of Michael O'Neill, making a total of 17 appearances in 2019–20.

International career

Collins made his Republic of Ireland U17 debut against Kazakhstan on 17 October 2016 and was later made captain of the team.

Personal life

Collins' family includes a number of other footballers, including his father Dave Collins who played with Liverpool and Oxford United among others. His uncle, Eamonn Collins, played with many sides including Southampton and Portsmouth before going on to manage St Patrick's Athletic and later becoming a football agent. His older brother Josh Collins is also a footballer who plays for League of Ireland First Division side UCD.

Career statistics