Republic of Ireland centre-back Nathan Collins has signed for Brentford from Wolves for a club record £23m.
Collins has penned a six-year contract, with the option of a further two years.
The Leixlip native became the most expensive Irish player in history when he joined Wolves from Burnley last summer for £20.5m, a fee which exceeded the £19m Liverpool paid for Robbie Keane in 2008.
Collins, who moved to Stoke from Dublin nursery Cherry Orchard in 2019, is now aiming to help the club build on their highest-ever league finish after they ended the 2022-23 Premier League term in ninth place.
"I talked with the manager and a few of the backroom staff about the project here," he said.
"It's a club on the rise and I can see where they want to go. It’s exciting to be here.
"I like to play football. I want to dribble, play and create. It starts at the back. I can play long balls and short balls. But, at the end of the day, I’m a defender and I have to head the ball, win it and win my challenges."
Bees boss Thomas Frank told the club's official club website: "I'm very pleased that we’ve managed to sign Nathan. He’s a very talented centre-back and still young.
"He has a lot of very good abilities that we value a lot. He’s a composed and calm defender. His heading in both boxes is a big thing, both in open play and from set-pieces, which is massive in the Premier League.
"I also like his ability on the ball. He can carry the ball out of defence and also has the composure to find the right pass during build-up play.
"His character is really good, and we know that character is everything. He will fit into our culture, I have no doubt about that. I see leadership potential in Nathan. He’s a perfect Brentford player - hungry and ambitious with a desire to learn."
The arrival of Collins comes on the back of Brentford signing goalkeeper Mark Flekken from Freiburg, with Kevin Schade's loan from the Bundesliga side also made permanent this summer.
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