Former Hammer James Collins has reportedly ripped up a £50,000 contract at Aston Villa after injuring himself just an hour after signing it reports the Daily Mirror.
The former Welsh international defender Collins has been training with Championship Villa this term after leaving West Ham.
After proving his fitness to the new Villa manager Collins signed a short-term deal worth around £10,000-a-week until the end of January to secure experience and cover at the back.
Hours later went out to train later that morning and promptly injured his calf.
The star, frustrated with himself, then trooped back inside Villa’s Bodymoor Heath training ground and tore up the paperwork.
Claret and Hugh Says:
This is so typical of James Collins, one of the nicest people in football I am told by many people who know him. Yet again his actions remind football fans of a time of when honour was more important than money. Young players could learn a lot from the mighty Ginger Pele who was desperate to stay at West Ham on a reduced wage when his contract finished last summer. One day when his playing days are behind him I am sure he will go on to become a great coach and from there a greater manager, who can could instil these kinds of ethics and morals on the next generation. I do hope Aston Villa reward his honesty and pride by offering him another short-term contract when he is fit again. I also hope he returns to West Ham one day on the coaching staff and carries on his love affair with West Ham and the fans. We miss you Ginger Pele!
Well put Sean. He is a great example to all the players out there (young and old). I would love to see him back at WHU in a coaching role, once he retires from playing.