On the 29th June 2017, Luton Town announced the signing of Crawley Town striker James Collins for a reported fee of £250,000.
The then 26-year-old attacker was in hot demand after an impressive debut season with the Red Devils saw Collins hit 22 goals in all competitions for Crawley, resulting in the striker attracting interest from around League One an Two.
With the club finishing the 2016/17 season in 19th in League Two, interest was high in the striker, but it was Luton who won the race for Collins, signing him for a reported transfer sum of £250,000.
Here’s how Luton fans reacted to the announcement of the transfer…
— LTFC Block F (@LTFCblockF) June 29, 2017
Fantastic signing , well done town
— Craig Clarke (@cclarke100) June 29, 2017
Well done! Terrific signing and a terrifying prospect for league 2 defenders…
Jimmy Collins & Super Danny Hylton!!— Simon Darwen (@Darwen88) June 29, 2017
this may finally be our year ! a potential steve howard
— Jack P (@JPennifold95) June 30, 2017
Yes!! COYH!!!
— Cardboard (@gcardboard) June 29, 2017
Excellent signing. Welcome to #LTFC James
— Peter Appleyard (@Pete_LTFC) June 29, 2017
Great signing, looks like we’ll have an decent aerial threat having seen some of his goals on You Tube.
— Matt Harrison (@Matt_J_Harrison) 29 June 2017
Danny Hylton and James Collins upfront, oh my god, loving that Luton
— Scott (@ScottLTFC_) 29 June 2017
Since his move, Collins has been a massive success for the London-based club. Fans knew the club had something a gem on their hands when the striker scored a hat-trick on his debut in an emphatic 8-2 win for Luton against Yeovil Town.
19 goals in his first season with the Hatters in the league saw Nathan Jones’ side promoted from League Two after finishing 2nd in the table, scoring 94 goals in 46 matches, the highest of any team in the division that season.
In season two with Luton, things have gone from good to brilliant with Collins. The spearhead in the attack, the now Irish international has been one of the best players in League One as the Hatters stand on the edge of back-to-back promotions, with the striker a large part for the club’s incredible rise.
22 goals in 41 League One appearances so far has seen the striker be named EFL League One Player of the Season as well as being placed in the EFL League One Team of the Season as Luton sit five points clear of the league table with four games to go.
Collins has been outstanding for the club since his arrival, and his hard work has already been paid off after the striker was rewarded with a contract extension following promotion to League Two last year.
If Luton are to be promoted, they will have Collins to thank for it and his incredible goal scoring form.
Luton Town fans, what has been your favourite Collins moment? Let us know!
