After a troubled summer in which the Nigerian defender was close to moving to greener pastures, Jamilu Collins has inked a new contract with Paderborn SC
Super Eagles defender Jamilu Collins has inked a one-year contract extension at SC Paderborn, the 2.Bundesliga club have announced on their official website.
The 26-year-old was believed to be running down his expiring contract before joining a club of his choice as a free agent at the end of the season.
But the club, relegated from the German top-flight at the end of the last term, has been able to convince the fullback to extend his contract until June 30, 2022.
Paderborn's sports director Fabian Wohlgemuth has, in a statement, revealed how delighted the club is after a breakthrough in contract talks that ensured the club keeps hold of the Nigerian international.
“Jamilu has developed very well in the three and a half years in Paderborn,” Wohlgemuth said.
“With his strong performances, he attracted the attention of numerous other clubs. That is one of the reasons why we are pleased that he sees his further sporting home at SCP07.”
Collins arrived in East Westphalia from Croatia in the summer of 2017, and he quickly established himself in German professional football, helping his side gain promotion to the Bundesliga in 2019.
The 25-year-old defender was an ever-present performer for Paderborn in the top-flight, featuring in 30 league matches and contributing a goal and two assists to the club’s cause.
It was, however, not enough as Paderborn were eventually demoted to the lower division after only garnering 20 points from 34 games.
Collins, though, was not keen on a return to the lower league and was close to a switch to England, with Newcastle United and Fulham reportedly interested in his services.
But the former Rijeka ace, however, stayed put in Paderborn and looked to have landed himself in the club's troubles after he was left out of the squad in the opening stages of the campaign.
But Collins has fought his way back to the starting eleven and has featured in 12 league games.
