Wilson details Shearer’s role in bringing about £20m Newcastle transfer

Callum Wilson has explained how Alan Shearer convinced him to make his £20million move to Newcastle.

Wilson completed his switch from relegated Bournemouth, signing a four-year deal to lead the Toon attack under boss Steve Bruce.

Newcastle legend Shearer, the club’s all-time leading scorer with 206 goals, first contacted Wilson in 2018, when the forward received the first of four England caps.

The pair kept in touch and Wilson, 28, revealed how Shearer supported his fellow forward through two serious knee injuries and ultimately helped him decide to join the Magpies.

“It was really encouraging to hear it from such a legend.” said Wilson, who is set to make his debut against West Ham on Saturday.

“The text message was out of the blue, so I was quite surprised, but I was so appreciative.

“We kept in touch and Shearer messaged me when I got a call-up to England, and we’ve also been in touch about coming here.

“I asked a few questions: ‘What’s it like around the town?’ and things like that.

“He was nothing but in praise of the football club and the place.

“It was already in my mind that I was coming here but that just nailed it on and it was concrete.”

How many goals will Wilson score for the Magpies this season? Have your say here.

Wilson is relishing the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Shearer, who scored a club record 206 goals for Newcastle in a decade playing for the Toon.

Having rejected Aston Villa’s advances in preference of a move to the north-east, Wilson said his mind was made up as soon as he knew Newcastle wanted him.

“From the minute I knew Newcastle were interested, it was definitely something that appealed to me,” said Wilson.
“It’s a massive club with great history. Along the years, they’ve had great strikers, so if I can emulate half of what they’ve done, I’d like to attempt that.

“I believe in my ability as a player. As a striker, I think it’s important to set yourself goals long term and short term, and I’m hoping to achieve them.

“With the players around me, I believe we can get the goals we need as a team and I want to help contribute to that.”

With last summer’s £40m record signing Joelinton having managed just two league goals in his debut season, Newcastle were in need of a prolific scorer.

Bruce will be hoping Wilson, who plundered 67 goals in 187 games for Bournemouth, can carry on his goalscoring exploits for Newcastle.

“Callum is somebody I’ve admired for a long time and I’m delighted to get him,” said Bruce.

“He’s done fantastically well at Bournemouth and was deservedly playing centre-forward for England less than two years ago.”

Newastle are also hoping to tie up deals for former Bournemouth midfielder Ryan Fraser and Norwich defender Jamal Lewis this week.

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