Deadline Day: Doncaster Rovers confirm the signing of Championship striker as Glenn Middleton exit confirmed
The latest transfer news in a busy day of activity at the Club Doncaster Sports Village
Doncaster Rovers have signed experienced Lincoln City striker James Collins in a late deadline day loan move.
The 35-year-old arrives on a deal which runs until January as he continues his recovery from a long-term knee injury, which has so far kept him out for the entirety of 2026.
The former Republic of Ireland international arrives with plenty of experience after winning promotion from League One with the likes of Luton Town, Derby County and most recently Lincoln, who won promotion to the second-tier for the first time in their history last term.
The 6ft 2in forward boasts a record of more than 200 career goals across all competitions and notably 84 goals in 230 matches in League One - something which Doncaster Rovers boss Grant McCann believes will be invaluable in the weeks and months ahead once the striker returns to fitness.
McCann told the club website: “James is coming back to fitness after picking up an injury last season, I think we can help him and he can certainly help us. We have a good relationship with Lincoln City and this is a move that I believe benefits all parties.
“We’ll have to be patient with him in this first month or so as he works his way back to match fitness, but to have somebody of his experience, character and goalscoring prowess makes him a huge asset for us.”
Once he returns to full fitness, Collins will provide competition for experienced new signing Alfie May, along with Brandon Hanlan and fellow summer addition Francis Okoronkwo, who has also had his own battles with fitness in recent months.
Elsewhere, deadline day also marked the end of Glenn Middleton’s 14-month stint in DN4. The former Rangers winger, who was transfer listed at the start of the summer, has completed a move to join newly promoted League Two side Rochdale on a one-year-deal after being signed for an undisclosed fee.
Middleton will face off against his former teammates on Tuesday 3 November when Rovers travel to face The Dale in Greater Manchester.