Callum Wilson's brilliant response to questions about the Newcastle United No.9 shirt

Joelinton will keep the No.9 shirt at Newcastle United.
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There had been speculation that new signing Callum Wilson would take the revered jersey for the new campaign, but Joelinton, signed last summer for £40million, will retain his squad number, according to head coach Steve Bruce.

“Joelinton will keep No.9, Callum will wear No.13,” said Bruce. “For me, it’s all about creating a squad, and I hope Joe will rise to the challenge.

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"We all know he’s a good player underneath it all. There’s a 22-year-old lad playing, getting used to the Premier League. And he found it tough. I hope he can play alongside him at times and do well.”

Willson spoke to the media today at a socially-distanced press conference at the club’s training ground along with fellow new signings, Ryan Fraser and Jamal Lewis.

And the 28-year-old striker, signed from Bournemouth in a £20million deal, addressed issue of his shirt number.

“The No.9 shirt is taken, to be honest with you,” said the England international. “Quite frankly, I’m not going to come in and take shirts off players.

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"I want to come in and get my feet under the table and settle in and not cause disruption. If it was available, don’t get me wrong, I would have snapped it with both hands, but, for now, it’s not.

"The shirt’s just a number at the end of the day – I’m playing for the badge at the front.”