Imps Linked With Experienced Derby County Striker

January 19, 2025 Gary Derby County, Lincoln City, Rumours, Transfers 1

Credit Graham Burrell

Journalist Pete O’Rourke has reported City are in advanced talks to sign 34-year-old striker James Collins from Derby County.

Collins, who scored 19 times for Derby as they were promoted last season, isn’t featuring as prominently for them in the Championship. He’s appeared 17 times, but only one of those has been a start. Now on the fringes at Pride Park, it seems he may be the experienced striker we are looking to bring in to boost our forward line.

James Collins

After starting out at Aston Villa, Collins enjoyed loan spells, including one at Darlington where he displaced Lee Thorpe from their side. He worked his way up through other spells at clubs like Shrewsbury Town, Hibernian, and Northampton Town, showcasing his knack for finding the net wherever he played.

Collins truly hit his stride at Crawley Town, scoring 22 goals in the 2016–17 season, before moving to Luton Town, where he became a club legend. During his time with the Hatters, he was instrumental in their rise through the leagues, bagging 19 goals in their League Two promotion season in 2017–18 and following it up with 25 goals in all competitions during their League One title-winning campaign the very next year. His ability to deliver consistently made him one of the most feared strikers in the lower leagues.

His two seasons at Derby County saw him score 31 times in 98 outings, 25 of those coming in 80 League One matches. Given his side’s step up a division, his input this season has been limited.

Viable Rumour?

I can certainly see this as viable, but then again, I felt the same about Freddie’s ‘move’ to Walsall, which didn’t happen. Collins is perhaps a year or three older than I imagined the player we might sign, but in terms of profile, he’s exactly what I think we’re looking for. He was scoring goals at this level last season, he’s been trusted in the division above, and he’s a robust centre-forward who will bring a level of experience our forward line has not had in a long time.

Credit Graham Burrell

It’s an interesting rumour from Freddie’s point of view. Yes, it might limit his game time, given that he’s a similar profile to Collins, but it’s also a chance to learn from a player who has been there and done it. Collins scored goals in a League Two loan and was able to transfer that to the level above – that’s what we need Freddie to do. If I were him, I’d be embracing the potential learning experience Collins could offer, because it could be a big turning point for our young striker.

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