According to the Northern Echo, Luton Town striker James Collins will not be signing for Preston this summer.
Instead, Collins is heading to Championship rivals Cardiff City on a free transfer, giving ‘verbal assurance’ that he will sign this summer.
Middlesbrough held talks last week and were hopeful of signing Collins, but the 30-year-old has picked Cardiff as his next destination.
The Telegraph reported in March that Preston were battling Derby County for Collins’ signature with his contract expiring this summer.
Other Championship clubs have joined the race though, and it seems that Mick McCarthy has won the battle for Collins’ signature.
A hard-working an physical striker, Collins will now join long-term Preston target Kieffer Moore in South Wales.
The 30-year-old hit 10 league goals this past season, three of which came against North End with a super hat-trick back in December.
Preston may have seen Collins as competition for Ched Evans in terms of being an experienced, physical striker – but will now have to face him twice next season. Let’s hope for no more hat-tricks!