03/08/2026
Great inspirational mindset
This is one of the most beautiful stories in soccer: the 6'6" Dan Burn.
🔙 At 11, he was released from Newcastle’s academy because he was considered not good enough. At 13, he lost a finger while climbing a fence and gave up his dream of becoming a goalkeeper. At 17, he was working in a supermarket.
“I hated stacking shelves. And I think that’s what got me to where I am today. I felt disappointed, and clubs were picking my friends to play while I had to stay home. That’s why I always had a Plan B.”
▶️ Because of his height, his movements as a left-back were never the most conventional. He spent most of his career in England’s second and third tiers before joining Brighton in 2019, despite having never played a single Premier League minute.
▶️ In 2022, just hours before the winter transfer window closed, Newcastle signed him as an emergency reinforcement while fighting relegation. A lifelong Newcastle fan whose idol was Alan Shearer, Burn returned at 29 to the club that had once released him.
Over time, he won the supporters over with his personality, determination and deep connection to the club.
▶️ He became one of Newcastle’s captains, earned his first England call-up at 32 and scored in a final to help end the club’s 70-year trophy drought.
And his incredible journey did not stop there.
🏆 In 2026, Dan Burn represented England at the World Cup and came off the bench in the semifinal against Argentina.
From stacking supermarket shelves to playing in a World Cup semifinal for his country.
Fate and the god of opportunity eventually smiled upon the towering Dan Burn—and everyone is happy for him. 🥹
