Wolves defender Nathan Collins has been named Ireland’s Player of the Year.
The 22-year-old collected his award at the 33rd FAI International Awards at the Mansion House in Dublin.
Collins has won the award having been a mainstay in Stephen Kenny’s side over the last 12 months.
He has started the last 13 internationals, and scored two goals.
He beat Josh Cullen and Jayson Molumby to the gong, after Ireland had beaten Gibraltar in Euro 2024 qualifying on Monday night.
It is a proud moment for Collins, who has had a tricky time at club level over the past six months or so.
Collins joined Wolves last summer from Burnley in a £20.5 million deal. He was a regular in the starting XI up until the end of January.
Julen Lopetegui brought in Craig Dawson from West Ham United, which spelled the end for him in terms of being a nailed-on pick.
Despite his lack of minutes in recent times for Wolves, Collins has been a staple pick for Ireland, and this evening he has reacted.
Nathan Collins posts on Instagram after being named Ireland’s Player of the Year
Collins took to Instagram earlier today to acknowledge his proud career moment.
He said on Instagram: “Proud to receive this award! Massive honour to win player of the year for my country #Eire”
Collins will now have some down time, before reporting back to Wolves for pre-season.
That is, if he doesn’t transfer to another club.
In recent days, there has been talk of Wolves getting ready to sell Collins with Brentford currently holding talks.
The Bees want him, and Wanderers would apparently be willing to sell for £25 million.
The claims have divided Wolves fans on social media.
Some believe selling Collins would be a mistake given his potential. But others are throwing their backing behind a sale, with some thinking that making a small profit on a player who’s had a tricky season would be a good thing.