A pictorial journey guides supporters through the highlights of the Irishman’s footballing career so far, with the 21-year-old set to pull on the gold and black ahead of the 2022/23 Premier League season.
2006-2016 | Born in Leixlip, Ireland, Nathan Collins spent 10 years coming through the system at Dublin-based Cherry Orchard FC, where his father and uncle began their careers.
8th May 2018 | A youth international, Collins captained Republic of Ireland in during the UEFA European Under-17 Championships, which ended at the quarter-final stage.
9th April 2019 | Three years after joining Stoke City as a 14-year-old, Collins made his senior debut for the club against Swansea City in the Championship.
15th April 2019 | A first taste of Molineux, Collins’ new home, came at the end of the 2018/19 campaign as he captained Stoke in the Premier League 2 fixture against Wolves under-23s.
24th August 2019 | Weeks after signing a five-year deal with the Potters, Collins started the 2019/20 season with the captain’s armband, becoming the club’s youngest ever skipper.
24th September 2019 | Collins is shown the first of three red cards of his career, as he is dismissed for a challenge against Crawley Town in the League Cup third round.
17th September 2020 | The defender makes his first senior start at Molineux, as Collins’ Stoke side knock Wolves out of the 2020/21 League Cup in the second round.
5th December 2020 | Two league goals in red and while came along in quick succession as he followed his opening strike against Norwich City with a winner at home to Middlesbrough.
13th February 2021 | Collins’ 2020/21 season, and Stoke career, was ended by a foot injury he sustained while playing away at Carrow Road.
24th June 2021 | The defender joins Premier League club Burnley for an undisclosed fee, signing a four-year contract with the Clarets.
25th August 2021 | Collins’ Burnley debut comes in last season’s League Cup, as he plays the full 90 minutes in a penalty shootout victory over Newcastle United in the second round.
2nd October 2021 | Having been on the bench in the early weeks of the season, Collins makes his first outing in the Premier League against Norwich at Turf Moor.
12th October 2021 | Ten days later, Collins’ senior international debut arrived, as he appears for the final 13 minutes of Ireland’s 4-0 friendly win against Qatar.
16th October 2021 | A first away game in the Premier League sees Collins line up against Premier League champions Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
1st December 2021 | In only his fourth Premier League appearance, Collins heads to Molineux as he helps his former club to a goalless draw against Bruno Lage’s men.
6th April 2022 | His two top-flight goals came within the space of a fortnight. The first arrived when he grabbed the opener in a 3-2 win over Everton at Turf Moor.
21st April 2022 | The second came 15 days later as he leapt highest in the box to meet a Josh Brownhill cross and give Burnley a 2-0 lead over Southampton.
21st April 2022 | A VAR check might have delayed the certainty of the goal, but Collins was already off celebrating.
22nd May 2022 | What a difference a month can make. From jubilation to dejection at Turf Moor, as Burnley’s relegation from the Premier League is confirmed after a 2-1 loss to Newcastle.
14th June 2022 | Collins ended the season off in style, scoring a stunning solo effort as Ireland secured a point against Ukraine in the UEFA Nations League.
