Few players have experienced a rags-to-riches story akin to Dan Burn’s at Newcastle United. Released by his boyhood club almost 20 years ago, the 6ft 7in defender dropped to non-league level, playing for New Hartley, Blyth Town and Blyth Spartans.
Some players have the ideal pathway to the Premier League and are already earning millions at a young age - but not Burn. At 16-years-old, the Geordie worked part-time at Asda when Darlington offered him a professional contract.
It quickly became evident his talents far surpassed League Two and Fulham came calling in 2011. However, his five years in South London were frustrating and, astonishingly, the Cottagers released Burn in 2016. At that point, the defender - 24-years-old at the time - would have been forgiven for giving up hope of ever donning the black-and-white stripes.
A renaissance at Wigan Athletic forced Brighton to take a punt on Burn four years ago. His first year was spent on loan at his former club but Graham Potter's tutelage has transformed him into one of the Premier League’s most reliable centre-backs.
Ironically, the only time Burn squashed ambitions to return home was following the £300million takeover last October. Speaking to The Athletic earlier this year, he said: “I’d always dreamt of coming home. I’d always thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be class to run out for Newcastle, my team?’, but I thought the chance had gone. Part of you never quite lets go but I’d accepted, after the takeover, it wasn’t going to happen.”
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The Sven Botman and Diego Carlos transfer sagas dominated the agenda on Tyneside in January. Had either completed a big-money move, it is likely Burn would never have arrived. The £13million Toon chiefs forked out for the 30-year-old is pocket change compared to the figures touted for the flashier, more notable duo.
However, it is hard to argue that Botman or Carlos would have had a bigger impact on the Toon’s fortunes than Burn. In his 16 appearances to date, the Magpies have conceded 18 goals at a rate of 1.13 per game. By contrast, a leaky Newcastle defence shipped in 45 in 24 without Burn last season - or 1.88 per game.
Seven clean sheets with Burn in the backline dwarfs the two United managed before his arrival. Throughout the 2021-22 campaign, the centre-back made 88 headed clearances - the sixth-highest in the Premier League.
While Bruno Guimaraes or Kieran Trippier will likely leave a more lasting legacy at Newcastle, it is hard to comprehend where Newcastle would be without Burn last season. The partnership he forged with Fabian Schar was the heartbeat of a defence that looked impenetrable against sides outside the Champions League places.
Burn’s impact draws parallels to Kevin Keegan’s decision to sign Brian “Killer” Kilcline in 1992. The legendary manager labelled Kilcline his “most important signing” as he helped the club survive relegation to the Third Division.
Star names continue to be linked with Newcastle daily as the club embarks on a journey to become a superpower in the sport. While St James’ Park may be home to the Harlem Globetrotters of world football a decade from now, it was one of their own who came to the rescue at its darkest hour.
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