Wolverhampton Wanderers have confirmed that they signed Burnley defender Nathan Collins on a long-term contract.
Bruno Lage has endured a frustrating summer with regards to fresh additions, with Wolves missing out on Joao Palhinha to Fulham and the West Midlands outfit now only ranked as outsiders to sign fellow Sporting Lisbon midfielder Matheus Nunes.
However, on the back of several senior departures from Molineux, Wolves have finally ended their wait to make a senior acquisition.
The club's official website says that the Republic of Ireland has been signed for an undisclosed fee, but it was reported on Monday that a fee of £20.5m had been agreed with Burnley.
The 21-year-old has signed a contract which will keep him at Wolves until 2027, with the club possessing the option to extend the deal by a further 12 months.
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Commenting on the transfer, technical director Scott Sellars told the club's official website: "We've looked at Nathan for a while and admired him, so we're delighted to bring him to the football club.
"He's a very talented young man – he's only 21, has played international football and had a good season last year with Burnley. We think we've signed a player with a lot of potential, as well as being a very good footballer now."
Collins departs Burnley after just one year of Premier League football at Turf Moor, the player making a total of 18 starts and one substitute outing in the top flight.
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Prior to his stint with the Clarets, Collins had made 26 starts and 13 substitute appearances in the Championship with Stoke City, earning himself a £12m switch to the North-West of England.
Collins has spent much of his career playing in the centre of defence and he is expected to feature on the right-hand side or in the middle of a three-man backline.
However, Lage is said to be keen to have the option of switching to a back four on occasions and the acquisition of the 6ft 3ins player provides the Portuguese boss with an opportunity to make a seamless switch.
Collins has also established himself on the international stage with Republic of Ireland with one goal coming from six caps for his country.
Darren Plant
