Interview: Collins on Brentford captaincy | OneFootball

Nathan Collins has reflected on being named Brentford's new captain ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League season.

The 24-year-old centre-back was announced as Christian Nørgaard's successor with the armband on Saturday.

Collins is set to lead Keith Andrews' side out for the first time at Gtech Community Stadium ahead of Friday's pre-season friendly against Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach.

"It’s a proud moment for myself, for my family and for everyone who has put in the work for me since I was a kid," said the Bees' new skipper.

"I’ve known Keith for a long time, he’s been my coach for many years in the Irish set-up as well. Any conversations we have are always really fluid, open and honest.

“I know him really well. I’ve always got on with him really well and he’s always tried to help me as a player.

"Once he asked me, I was buzzing. I would never say no to an opportunity like that. This club has given me plenty of opportunities so to be able to do this now is unbelievable."

Collins - who has captained the Republic of Ireland on nine occasions in the absence of Séamus Coleman - opened on what he hopes to bring to the role with the west Londoners and the importance of having other leaders within the first-team squad.

“I’d like to think I can be a natural leader on the pitch, not change too much and just do what I do," he continued.

"I feel like there will be a bit more responsibility off the pitch in terms of just keeping standards high.

"We need leaders all over the pitch and people all lead in a different way. To have so many in such a young and exciting squad is a good balance.”

Collins' captaincy could not have got off to much of a better start, with the Irishman heading in the only goal of the game within two minutes of Saturday's 1-0 win against west London rivals QPR.

Off the back of that success at Loftus Road, he spoke about adding more goals to his game and looked ahead to leading the side out for the first time against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Friday evening.

"To score against QPR in a game is unbelievable, and I was buzzing to be able to do that," he added.

"Of course, I want to score more goals and contribute more.

"I fancy this team against anybody, and to have them lads behind me is going to be something special. I can’t wait for that moment, it’s going to be special."

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