NATHAN COLLINS HAS committed his future to Stoke City, despite recent reports which suggested that the Irish youngster has generated interest from Manchester United.
Yesterday, Collins — who still had two years remaining on his previous deal — put pen to paper on a new five-year contract with Stoke.
“Nathan is a very talented young man,” said Stoke City manager Nathan Jones, who handed the central defender three first-team appearances towards the end of last season’s Championship campaign.
“He’s not the finished article by any means and he still has a great deal to learn, but anyone who has seen him play will recognise he has great ability and potential.
“He’s willing to learn, which is the most important thing, and we’re delighted that he sees his long-term future with us.”
Collins had seemingly been recommended to Manchester United by former Red Devils midfielder Darren Fletcher, who was a team-mate of the 18-year-old at Stoke last season.
The Leixlip native featured for the Republic of Ireland U19s in their successful bid to qualify for this summer’s European Championship.
However, he was one of several players prevented from travelling to the tournament in Armenia due to being required for pre-season preparations with his club’s first-team.
“Nathan has made tremendous progress since joining us from Cherry Orchard two years ago,” said Stoke City chief executive Tony Scholes.
“He’s a very mature individual, as he has shown with his performances for the first-team, and we are convinced he has a big future ahead of him.”
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Nothing too spectacular about it, but Miller is a quality technically gifted player, pity he didn’t stay in cork for what could be a special year
It’s nice to see him still make a living out of football
Liam Miller never done too much while playing for Cork City.
I always got the impression that he had the attitude that he was too good to be playing for City.
Glad to see the back of him.
He was consistently technically superior to most around him though
Maybe stick to these types of article Eoin.. That United one you just done was awful..
Ahhh poor diddums
Better than the Paul Fennessy articles though.
Brutal
He had a good season at Sunderland under Roy keane. The start was a disaster and it looked like Sunderland would get relegated. Then keano arrived and sensationally they won the league. What a season that was. They really did come back from the brink.
If he had have stayed at Celtic for a year or two develop a bit more he could have been real quality. Cant blame him for moving when he did though.
I’m sorry but Miller added noting to the City team, always passed sideways or backwards and never looked to get forward, was not sorry to see him leave