Was Dan Burn Newcastle United’s most important January signing?

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.”

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