Nick Pope’s little-known international and Premier League record Newcastle United fans will love

Nick Pope is the only goalkeeper in history to keep six clean sheets in his first six international appearances. Newcastle United have announced the England star as their second summer signing, with the 30-year-old signing a four-year deal.

The Magpies will pay around £10million for Pope - a cut-price fee following Burnley’s relegation to the Championship. Signing a new goalkeeper gives Eddie Howe a selection headache ahead of the 2022-23 campaign as Martin Dubravka has been the undisputed number one since his 2018 arrival.

Astonishingly, Pope boasts the impressive record of the longest streak without conceding a goal after making his international debut. The shot-stopper was part of the Three Lions side that defeated Costa Rica, Kosovo, Wales, Republic of Ireland, San Marino and Albania - a six-game stretch that saw him achieve the honour in March last year.

At club level, Pope only trails Manchester City and Liverpool superstars Ederson and Alisson in the clean sheet race since the start of the 2019-20 campaign. Despite playing for an undeniably inferior side, the Magpies’ new goalkeeper kept 35 top-flight clean sheets - at a rate of 0.33 per game - over the last three seasons.

The Brazilian duo were the only two that bettered Pope - another little-known statistic that will have Toon fans excited for their new arrival. Replicating his steely displays in a Newcastle shirt will reinforce a backline that looked solid once Dan Burn, Matt Targett and Kieran Trippier signed in January.