Dan Burn, the Newcastle United defender currently starring for England at the World Cup, has played a pivotal role in sending the Three Lions to their fourth semi-final in the past five major tournaments. Remarkably, he has done so with only nine fingers.
Accident at Age 13
Burn, who grew up in Blyth, Northumberland, lost his finger in a traumatic incident when he was 13. He opened up about the accident to Sky Sports last year, explaining how he was trying to impress a group of girls.
“I’d been out with some friends and I was showing off in front of a group of girls,” Burn said. “I think a rabbit had got out and got into a community centre a little bit so I jumped the fence not knowing there was a gate around the corner and I was wearing a ring made of an old shilling. Then the spike got caught in the ring and when I jumped off, it ripped me.”
The 34-year-old initially didn't realise the severity of his injury. “My hand went numb so I thought I’d broken my arm or something,” he recalled. “Then I lifted the jacket off and it was like wow, that’s not right. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that night.”
Remarkable Rise to the Top
Despite the devastating moment, Burn did not let it affect his career. He began in non-league with Blyth Spartans before working his way up the football pyramid. He joined Fulham from Darlington ahead of the 2011/12 season and went on to feature for Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic, and Brighton & Hove Albion before signing for Newcastle at the start of 2022.
Burn earned his first England call-up in March 2025 and made his international debut in a World Cup qualifying victory over Albania. At the World Cup, he has been influential, appearing as a substitute in knockout wins over Mexico and Norway. His towering 6'7" frame has helped England grind out narrow victories.
World Cup Record
In the round of 16, Burn registered six clearances despite only being introduced on 75 minutes, a World Cup record for a substitute. Now, an insurmountable task of containing Lionel Messi may await in Atlanta if England manager Thomas Tuchel once again gives the defender the nod from the bench.
