The Imps have confirmed they have triggered an option for striker James Collins to remain at the club until the summer of 2027.
The experienced forward, who bagged 16 league goals for the Imps, is recovering from surgery following a serious knee injury suffered in the EFL Trophy game against Huddersfield Town in early December, with his rehab process expected to go into next season.
His current deal was set to run out at the end of the season, but we retained an option within that, which has been triggered. The deal is not unlike that we gave Lewis Montsma as he battled back from serious injury, and it reinforces the club’s commitment to look after players as people, first and foremost.
Collins has thanked City for their backing and promised to play his part in helping the club have a successful second half of the season.
“I couldn’t be more thankful for the way everyone at the club, the owners and coaching staff have shown faith in me by extending my contract.
“I particularly want to thank the medical department for their unbelievable support and care since my injury. They have all gone above and beyond to help me.
“I’ve never been out of contract nor had a long-term injury before, and what would happen this summer was the first thing I thought of. So the club taking all that worry away from me and allowing me to concentrate on my rehab and not rush it is massive.
“The fact they have done that, for me, shows what a good club Lincoln City is and how they do right by their players. My family and I will be forever thankful for how they’ve gone about their business after the injury – this gives me a chance to fully concentrate on my recovery without that worry of what would happen at the end of the season.”
Collins has hit 16 senior goals for the Imps across 45 appearances since moving to Lincolnshire last January, and although he cannot feature on the pitch again this season to increase that tally, he is ready to support his team-mates.
“I will do anything the club need me to do, whatever that looks like.
“I love coming in every day and seeing the lads in good spirits. I love being a part of that, and if I can help off the pitch this season to help us achieve what we want to, then I’m all-in.”
“We pride ourselves as a club on how we look after players and, in this case, we feel it is the right thing to offer James and his family this security,” sporting director Jez George added.
“Twelve months ago we were in a very different league position following a very different Christmas and New Year. We needed James and he committed to us. Now James needs us and it is our turn to show commitment to him. This decision enables him to take his time with his rehab so that he gets back on the pitch next season doing what he does best; scoring goals.
“James is a hugely influential character within the group, so despite not being on the pitch he can still have a massive impact on our season through his personality every day at the training ground.”
This sort of news story gives me a really good feeling about the club. We say things like ‘our club is different’, and we talk about being a big family, but this is the sort of story that underlines it. Lincoln City looks after its people, and this is just a demonstration of that.
Who’s not to say that Collins comes back in the middle of next season and bags some crucial Championship goals for us? You never know, and even if he doesn’t, what sort of message is he going to give players we’re trying to sign about the club? This sort of thing, and I’m sure a million little things behind the scenes, are the reason the likes of Danny Mandroiu talked us up to Josh Honohan, and it fills me with joy, despite the actual situation being tough for Collins.