Football fans are just noticing Dan Burn only has nine fingers, here’s why

Quite the story

The defender joined his boyhood club and has been a part of the turn around in form (with the help of a few million quid from the Saudi Public Investment Fund) which has seen the Magpies climb well away from the relegation battle.

Burn's performances in particular have been instrumental as Eddie Howe's side secured their place in the 2023/24 Champions League season.

During a game against Chelsea in 2022, a close-up shot of Burn revealed that the 6'7 tall defender was missing a finger on his right hand - leading to a social media frenzy as users reacted to the unexpected sight.

One user tweeted: "Can’t believe after 3 seasons and almost 100 premier league games with 20 odd cameras capturing every move, only now have we found out that Dan Burn only has 4 fingers on one hand. Mental."

Another user said: "I never realised Dan Burn was missing a finger."

A third user said: "Goal aside… bit random as well, anyone clocked Dan Burn’s missing a finger?"

Another user said: "I was today years old when I realised Dan Burn has a finger missing."

The news at the time sparked conversation and enquiries to find out how Burn lost the finger, and last year, the big man revealed all.

According to Burn, the injury occurred while hanging out with friends as a teenager.

"I'd been out with some friends, and I was showing off in front of a group of girls," he said.

"I think a rabbit had got out and got into a community centre. So, I jumped the fence, not knowing there was a gate around the corner, and I was wearing a ring.

"It was a ring I was given off my grandad, so it was made of an old shilling, sort of solid. Then the spike got caught in the ring, and when I jumped off, it ripped me."

At first, Burn didn't realise the severity of the injury to his finger.

It was after he pulled back his sleeve that he released what had happened and subsequently rushed to the hospital.

Unfortunately for Burn, the finger could not be saved.