Ex-BVB talent Nnamdi Collins: an international for a bargain price | OneFootball

Rarely have wishes come true as they did for Nnamdi Collins. "We wish him all the best for his future," said BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl (45) at the farewell of the then 19-year-old top talent in August 2023. At Eintracht Frankfurt, the defender matured into a national player.

Collins wore the Borussia Dortmund jersey for seven years. In 2022, he celebrated winning the German A-Junior Championship with the club's U19 team. The following year, he led the team as captain to the final. The native of Düsseldorf appeared eight times for the U23 in the 3rd division. However, he did not make the leap to the first team with the Westphalians.

"Nnamdi approached us with the strong desire to change clubs this summer," explained Kehl, justifying the decision to let Collins go. The defender moved to Eintracht Frankfurt but also had an offer from AS Roma. Back then, star coach José Mourinho (62) was still giving instructions from the sidelines for the Giallorossi.

"I was aware of what kind of person Mourinho is and what he has achieved as a coach. It was the first time in my career that I sat across from a coach who had achieved so much. It was a great honor for me," Collins recounted in an interview with Absolut Fussball in December 2024.

Enormous Increase in Value

However, Frankfurt prevailed over Roma, having the "more convincing plan," revealed the 21-year-old, adding: "It was also very important for me to stay in Germany and establish myself here." The decision paid off for Collins, as he is on the verge of his debut for the German national team. According to the portal transfermarkt.de, his market value has climbed to ten million euros.

When the Hessians lured Collins away from Dortmund, they didn't have to put nearly as much money on the table. According to Absolut Fussball, SGE paid a base amount of 400,000 euros. Due to bonus payments, the sum increased to 700,000 euros. Considering the performances of the former Borussia player, it's a bargain price. Especially since BVB neither has a resale participation nor a buyback option.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.