Dan Burn proved dreams can come true after scoring in a cup final for his boyhood club, but the Newcastle United defender still can’t quite believe it happened.
Born in Blyth, 21 kilometers north of Newcastle upon Tyne, the centre-back was released by the club when he was 11. He proceeded to go on a winding journey that took him from non-league to the Premier League and everywhere in between before finding his way back to St James’ Park.
The first arrival of the PIF era in January 2022, Burn was an unspectacular signing, but he’s been a stalwart in Eddie Howe’s side and has been in terrific form this season, culminating in a first England call-up this week.
It was fitting that the 32-year-old opened the scoring for Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley. The 6ft 7″ defender powered a header past Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher on the stroke of halftime to inspire the team to their first major trophy in 55 years.
