Bio

James Steven Collins (born 1 December 1990) is a professional footballer who plays as a striker for EFL League One club Derby County and the Republic of Ireland national team. Starting his career at Aston Villa, he did not break through to the first team and has since represented a number of teams in the English Football League and the Scottish Premiership. Collins has won promotion from the fourth tier of English football four times so far in his career: twice as a runner-up with Shrewsbury Town, once as champions with Northampton Town, and most recently with Luton Town. Born and raised in England, he represented the Republic of Ireland at under-19 and under-21 levels before making his senior international debut – and scoring – in 2019 in a friendly match against Bulgaria.