Nathan Collins says he has joined a "club on the rise" after completing a club record move to Brentford for £23m from Wolves.
The Ireland centre-half has signed a six-year deal with the Bees with the option of a further two years.
Collins, 22, was already the most expensive Irish transfer in history after joining Wolves from Burnley for £20.5m last summer.
But despite starting the season in the Wolves defence, the Leixlip man found himself benched on a regular basis.
Brentford have moved to consolidate their position as a top 10 Premier League club - they finished ninth last term, their best-ever performance - by signing Collins, who has 45 top flight appearances banked from his time with Burnley and Wolves.
“It feels good," said Collins, who moved to England in 2019 when he joined Stoke City from Cherry Orchard.
"It’s been going on a while now so I’m happy we’re over the line.
"I talked with the manager and a few of the backroom staff about the project here. It's a club on the rise and I can see where they want to go. It’s exciting to be here.
“(Me and Thomas Frank) have talked a lot. He’s said what he likes about me and has a plan in place.
"I like to play football. I want to dribble, play and create. It starts at the back. I can play long balls and short balls.
"But, at the end of the day, I’m a defender and I have to head the ball, win it and win my challenges.
"I’ve already experienced quite a lot in football, so that’s probably why I’m mature. I moved away from home when I was young.
"My family has always been involved with football, so I’ve learned from them and done what they’ve told me. It’s got me this far!".
Bees boss Thomas Frank explained his reasons for signing Collins and believes he can become a leader in the side.
"I'm very pleased that we’ve managed to sign Nathan," said Frank. "He’s a very talented centre-back and still young.
"He has a lot of very good abilities that we value a lot. He’s a composed and calm defender.
"His heading in both boxes is a big thing, both in open play and from set-pieces, which is massive in the Premier League.
"I also like his ability on the ball. He can carry the ball out of defence and also has the composure to find the right pass during build-up play.
"His character is really good, and we know that character is everything. He will fit into our culture, I have no doubt about that.
"I see leadership potential in Nathan. He’s a perfect Brentford player - hungry and ambitious with a desire to learn."
