Wolverhampton Wanderers transfer news from BirminghamLive as the club prepares for the 2023/24 Premier League season

Nathan Collins has issued a classy farewell message to Wolves and their supporters as he prepares to start the new season with Brentford.

The 22-year-old Republic of Ireland international completed his move to the Bees earlier this week after the clubs agreed a £23m deal. That gives the central defender the opportunity for more regular first-team football having largely been a substitute in the second half of last season after Wolves signed Craig Dawson to partner Max Kilman.

The deal represented a profit on the £20.5m Wolves paid Burnley for the former Stoke City defender last summer. Wolves have made clear they rate Collins highly and believe he has the potential to play for a top six club, a belief that has been reflected in the clauses attached to the Brentford deal.

As for Collins, he has given his thanks to his old club on social media, saying: “Thank you Wolves. It was an honour to play for this massive club. It wasn’t the season we all hoped for but I am glad we could turn the season around and guarantee Premier League football for another year.

“Thank you to the owners, management backroom staff and players who were brilliant with me from day one. And finally a special thank you to the fans who stuck by us and gave us the support we needed to get through a tough season. Wishing you all the best in the future.”

Brentford broke their club record to sign Collins, a deal that has helped Wolves balance the books as they comply with Financial Fair Play regulations. The club has also sold Ruben Neves, for £47m to Al Hilal, and Conor Coady, for an initial £7.5m to Leicester City.