Callum Wilson has revealed that his relationship with Alan Shearer stretches far beyond his time at Newcastle United.
The 29-year-old signed for the Magpies in September 2020 and it would be fair to assume that he first crossed paths with the Toon legend when he first held aloft the black and white shirt.
However, Wilson confirmed that it was back in 2016, upon rupturing his ACL, when he first spoke to Shearer after he got in touch to lend his support.
The injury came after just seven matches of the 2015/16 campaign, his first in the top flight, and the Newcastle icon was there to offer him a helping hand.
Speaking on the Footballer’s Football Podcast, Wilson was telling co-host Michail Antonio about his relationship with Shearer.
He said: “For me, Alan Shearer played a big part in me joining Newcastle, he’s a Newcastle legend and he’s someone who everyone in the city looks up to.
“For me, he’s been that person who’s given me that bit of advice, he reached out to me when I first got injured when I did my ACL back in my 2016. He didn’t have to send me a text message, I hadn’t really played in the Premier League and he just took a liking to me.
“We found our way to be in the same club that we both feel so passionately about. He’s someone outside of football who’s had an influence on my decision making in terms of joining Newcastle and things like that.”
Given the impact Wilson has had during his brief time at Newcastle so far, Magpies supporters will be glad of the pair’s long-term relationship.
The four-time England international remains confident of making a return to the side before the end of the season where he will be able to bolster a side in excellent form.
Despite being abject of goals, the performances of new signing Chris Wood have made Wilson’s absence less noticeable than it would have been previously.
Eddie Howe will also be keen to have both of his best strikers available and it will be interesting to see whether he opts for a formation that includes two forwards if, and when, that is the case.
