Lincoln City have sealed the permanent signing of an experience striker with six EFL promotions under his belt.
The Imps have captured Derby County striker James Collins, securing his signature on an 18 month contract that has an option for a further year.
An experienced striker:
The 34-year-old marksman has scored over 200 senior goals in his career, dating back to his debut in 2009.
He was part of the Derby side that was promoted out of Sky Bet League One last term, scoring 19 goals across all competitions during that campaign.
However, his 17 league appearances this season have been fruitless. Collins, a former Republic of Ireland international, has only started one second-tier game for the Rams since their promotion into the Championship.
He will now drop back into League One, where he has produced consecutive double-digit goal tallies.
Lincoln City’s Michael Skubala proud as punch:
Imps head coach Michael Skubala spoke to the club’s website about the signing of Collins, and said: “James is a really important signing for the group and it is a massive statement of intent from the club. He is a proven goalscorer, a top professional and will also add leadership to a young squad.
“He is a double-promotion winner from this league, scored 14 goals in helping Derby County win promotion last season and he is here first and foremost because he is hungry to score more goals, win games and contribute to achieving more success.
“Apart from the obvious goal threat that James will bring us on the pitch, he will also bring a lot to us every day at the Elite Performance Centre, particularly with the likes of Freddie Draper, Jovon Makama and Bailey Cadamarteri.”
More than just on the field – Opinion:
There is so much more to this signing than the goals he will bring, as Lincoln City boss Skubala acknowledged himself.
Collins has been around the block a few times in his long career, and will without a doubt benefit the development of the Imps’ younger forward players.
Jez George, Lincoln’s director of football, said it was a hard deal to get over the line when speaking to the club’s media team. He noted that patience and persistence had paid off, with the addition providing a player who has goalscoring pedigree.
Lincoln have struggled in the final third as of late, not scoring a goal from open play in more than nine hours of football before Tendayi Darikwa netted the only strike of a victory at Northampton Town last time out.
The Imps have three young strikers on their books: academy products Freddie Draper and Jovon Makama, and Sheffield Wednesday loanee Bailey Cadamarteri.
They will all be helped no end by the experience and know-how of James Collins. This signing is just what the doctor ordered for Lincoln City.