As mid-July approaches, the highest profile signing in League Two undoubtedly remains MK Dons’ impressive capture of former Bristol Rovers forward Aaron Collins from Bolton Wanderers.
Collins was the Whites’ top scorer last season in League One, registering 19 goals and five assists across all competitions. Despite those numbers, Bolton sanctioned an exit to League Two promotion favourites MK Dons last month.
Based on odds provided by Oddschecker , MK are the current favourites to win the fourth tier title as well as being promoted, while Rovers themselves are amongst the clubs fancied for promotion following last season’s relegation.
Gasheads would have hoped that Collins would remain in League One, knowing the qualities he possesses and the fact that he has already scored in two of the three games he has played against his former employers since departing in January 2024.
Instead, the Welshman is expected to be one of, if not the most prolific attackers in the fourth tier this season as both MK Dons and Rovers seek promotion.
The blow of seeing a former player who was such a fan favourite during his time in BS7 join a promotion rival would have been eased by a scenario where the Gas pocketed a percentage of Collins’ transfer fee.
One of the first questions from Rovers fans when the deal was confirmed was whether the club had inserted a sell-on clause in the terms of the 28-year-old’s departure for Bolton 18 months ago.
Bristol Live understands that there was a sell-on clause, however the Gas won’t be pocketing any extra funds from Collins’ transfer to MK Dons as he was bought for a fee that is believed to cover the figure Bolton paid to Rovers 18 months ago as opposed to one that would create profit for Wanderers.
At the time, it was reported that the fee the Gas picked up was in the region of £750,000, although more recent information suggests that it was closer to £700,000.
When Collins left BS7, Rovers had recently replaced long-term manager Joey Barton with Matt Taylor while the forward had struggled to rediscover his best form after a red-hot spell through the second half of the 2021/22 League Two promotion season into the first half of the Pirates’ first campaign back in League One. That form saw him named the third tier’s player of the season in 2023.
With 18 months left on his deal, it was the right time for the Gas to sell Collins when they did, sending him to a club that was in a good position to go and get themselves promoted to the Championship.
New scenery helped the forward regain some form in front of goal as he scored nine goals from March onwards. However, Bolton stumbled at the crucial moment, losing 2-0 to Oxford United in the play-off final despite finishing third.
Even though the Welshman lodged more characteristic numbers in front of goal last season, as a whole it was a disappointing campaign for the Whites who finished eighth and a hefty 10 points outside of the play-offs.
New boss Steven Schumacher has shown that he isn’t afraid to cut ties with players who he doesn’t see as part of his vision by sanctioning the sale of Collins. More recently, the Whites have sold goalkeeper Luke Southwood to Rovers following the loan arrival of Teddy Sharman-Lowe.
Unfortunately, there is no magical crystal ball to stare into to see just how Collins gets on back in League Two. Even if you’re not a betting person though, it’s safe to assume that his numbers during this upcoming campaign should be right up there and MK Dons will be well-equipped to get back into League One. Hopefully, they are joined by Rovers.
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