JAMES COLLINS
Born: 23 August 1983, Newport, Wales
Former clubs: Cardiff City, West Ham United, Aston Villa
A whole-hearted central defender, James Collins has represented his native Wales at every level.
Now in his second spell at West Ham United after re-joining the club from Aston Villa on 1 August 2012, James Collins began his career with Cardiff City before joining the Hammers in 2005
Known as 'Ginge' to all at the club, Collins helped West ham to reach the 2006 FA Cup final and stave off relegation in dramatic style in 2007 before spending three years with Aston Villa between 2009 and 2012.
2014/15
Was sent off on the opening day of the campaign, as West Ham lost 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur on 16 August 2014.
2013/14
Started the first five Barclays Premier League games of the season, but suffered a hamstring injury whilst on international duty with Wales in September 2013 and lost his place to James Tomkins...Returned following an ankle injury to Winston Reid and helped the Hammers to a clean sheet in their 3-0 victory over Fulham on 30 November 2013....Scored his only goal of the season in the 2-0 win over Norwich City on 11 February, opening the scoring with 84 minutes on the clock.
2012/13
Re-joined West Ham United from Aston Villa for an undisclosed fee on 1 August 2012...Made his second West Ham United 'debut' in a 1-0 Barclays Premier League home win over former club Aston Villa on 18 August 2012, being named Man of the Match...Picked up his fifth yellow card of the season and a one-match Barclays Premier League ban at Reading on 29 December 2012...Missed the 2-1 Barclays Premier League victory over Norwich City at the Boleyn Ground on New Year's Day 2013 through suspension...Produced a Man of the Match performance at Anfield to help the Hammers earn a rare away point at Liverpool from the 0-0 draw on 7 April.
2009/10
Made three first-team appearances for West Ham United before joining Aston Villa for a reported £5m on 1 September 2009.
2008/09
Returned to first-team duty in a 2-0 home Premier League defeat by Arsenal on 26 October 2008, some ten months after suffering a serious knee injury...Missed the closing weeks of the season with a recurring calf injury...Made 21 appearances in all competitions as West Ham United finished ninth in the Premier League table.
2007/08
Made just five first-team appearances due to injury...Was sidelined for a year in January 2008 after suffering a major knee injury in a Barclays Premier Reserve League fixture at Portsmouth.
2006/07
Following an injury to January signing Matthew Upson, cemented his position in the Hammers starting line-up in spring 2007...Played a starring role as West Ham United avoided relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the season...Forged a formidable partnership with Anton Ferdinand as the Hammers won seven of their final nine league matches to beat the drop...Made his European debut for West Ham United in a 3-0 UEFA Cup first-round second-leg defeat in Palermo on 28 September 2006...Totalled 17 first-team appearances in all competitions.
2005/06
Signed from Cardiff City alongside centre-back partner Danny Gabbidon on 5 July 2005...Made his West Ham United debut in a 4-2 League Cup victory at Sheffield Wednesday on 20 September 2005...Made his Premier League debut in a 2-0 defeat at Liverpool on 26 October 2005...Scored his maiden West Ham United goal in a 1-1 Premier League draw at Portsmouth on Boxing Day 2005...Ended the season having made 18 first-team appearances for the Hammers, scoring two goals.
International career
Appeared for Wales from every level from Under-16 to the senior team...Captained Wales at Under-21 level...Made his senior Wales debut in a goalless international friendly draw in Norway on 27 May 2004...Scored his first goal for Wales in a 3-1 UEFA European Championship qualifying defeat in Cyprus on 13 October 2007...Captained Wales for the first time in a 1-0 home international friendly defeaty by Sweden on 3 March 2010.
Before West Ham United
Began his career at Cardiff City, joining the Bluebirds as a trainee after playing local football his hometown of Newport....Made his debut at the age of 17 as a late substitute in a 5-1 FA Cup victory over Bristol Rovers on 18 November 2000...Won promotion to the Championship with Cardiff City via the Play-Offs in 2002/03...Totalled 86 appearances and six goals for the Bluebirds...Named Welsh Young Player of the Year in 2005.