Mathew Collins, son of Genesis singer and drummer Phil Collins, has signed for 1860 Munich on a one-year contract as the former German champions begin life in the fourth tier.
The 21-year-old midfielder, born in Switzerland, previously came through the youth ranks at Bundesliga club Hannover 96 before moving to WSG Tirol in Austria. He then joined second-tier Austria Salzburg last summer, making four first-team appearances before leaving at the end of the season.
1860 Munich finished eighth in the third-tier 3. Liga last term but were relegated after failing to obtain a licence ahead of the new season. The club were founding members of the Bundesliga and won the German title in 1966, as well as German Cups in 1942 and 1964. They last played in the top flight in 2003-04 before financial difficulties and further licensing problems sent them down the divisions.
Phil Collins, 75, had attended one of Mathew’s matches for Austria Salzburg in November. The elder Collins had previously spoken openly about his son’s ambitions, saying Mat loved football even more than music and was certain he would turn professional.
Mathew’s half-sister Lily Collins, star of Emily in Paris, responded to the news on Instagram, saying she could not be prouder.
Despite playing in the fourth tier, Mathew could yet face England captain Harry Kane this season if 1860 Munich are drawn against local rivals Bayern Munich in the German Cup.
Phil Collins this weekend revealed that Mathew and his siblings Lily, Joely, Simon and Nic had all been called to his bedside in a Swiss hospital in April 2024 after he almost drank himself to death. Phil told The Sunday Times Magazine that his kidneys were failing and his organs were seizing up, and that decisions had to be made about keeping him on life support. He said it could have gone terribly wrong but that he did not remember his children arriving. He has since recovered, though he has type 2 diabetes, nerve damage in his hands, and requires crutches following multiple surgeries on his spine and knees.
