German football’s top division, the Bundesliga, is considered amongst the elite leagues of the European game. It contains household names such as Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund but there are also several sides who may not be known to the wider footballing world.
SC Paderborn are one such team. They completed a remarkable rise at the end of last season that saw them win promotion in back-to-back campaigns to achieve a place in the top division of German football.
One player who joined them on this journey up the divisions was Nigerian defender Jamilu Collins. His story coincides with that of an unfashionable German team from the region of Westphailia.
The start of the journey
In 2017, with Paderborn playing in the 3. Liga, Collins arrived at the club hoping to make an impression and earn himself a contract.
He was born in Kaduna in north-western Nigeria and had grown up playing his football at Abuja Football College Academy. His ability got him a move to Croatia where he began playing at the HNK Rijeka academy before signing professional terms with the senior side in 2012.
After several loan spells, he ended up have a trial with Paderborn where he made an impression on Markus Krösche, the club’s sporting director.
Indeed, the Nigerian star was offered a contract based on the performances and technique he displayed when on trial and, coupled with giving the team flexibility down the left-hand side, he was fully deserving of the deal he earned.
The rise of Paderborn
Paderborn may be struggling this season in the top-flight, currently favourites for relegation in Bundesliga betting markets with odds of 1/7 for the drop, but they have done well to be playing at this level.
The club unexpectedly won promotion from 3. Liga in 2018 and followed this up by an even more outstanding achievement by completing another top-two finish a year later.
During the 2018-19 season they won 16 of their 34 matches and to finish runners-up behind Koln, edging out third place Union Berlin on goal difference. Their promotion was confirmed on the final day despite losing away to Dynamo Dresden.
Paderborn are still waiting on their first win this season, but are showing spirit
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) September 28, 2019
Jamilu Collins pic.twitter.com/OTKLTOCvjZ
Jamilu Collins has epitomised the spirit this Paderborn side have displayed during both their rise and their attempts to fight against relegation this season. He has continued to improve ever since signing for the club.
The future
Paderborn may fall back into Bundesliga 2 at the end of the season, but Collins is a player who has proven to be invaluable to the team. He has grown with the German outfit to a point where he has now been capped at international level 15 times.
Trainings-#SCP07 #SCPWOB pic.twitter.com/lTz7RoZJ4M
— SC Paderborn 07 (@SCPaderborn07) January 29, 2020
He is still only 25 and will continue to develop. Whether that is with Paderborn remains to be seen, but his rise to prominence mirrors that of the club who gave him his chance two-and-a-half years ago. He has more than repaid them already and deserves every success in the future.
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