Brentford have completed a club record £23m deal to sign defender Nathan Collins from fellow Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Republic of Ireland international, 22, who only moved to Wolves from Burnley for £20.5m last summer, joins on a six-year deal.
Collins made 31 appearances for Wolves last season, helping them to finish 13th in the top flight.
“I’m very pleased we’ve managed to sign Nathan,” said head coach Thomas Frank.
“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.
“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.”
Collins breaks his own record as the most expensive Irish player.
He spent one season at Burnley after joining them from Stoke City in the summer of 2021.
Wolves have turned down a £30m bid from Napoli for fellow defender Max Kilman, amid reports the club are struggling with Financial Fair Play issues.
Collins follows Wolves captain Ruben Neves away from Molineux after the 26-year-old joined Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal for a club record £47m.
Brentford have already paid in the region of £22m this summer to sign forward Kevin Schade after his successful loan spell with the club, and £11m for Netherlands goalkeeper Mark Flekken, both from Freiburg, as Thomas Frank continues to strengthen his squad.
