Dan Burn, the Newcastle United defender, has become one of the most talked-about English footballers of 2025 after receiving a first senior international call-up at the age of 32. Standing among the tallest players in the Premier League, his path from non-league football to the England squad is a story of persistence and physical presence. This profile covers everything fans want to know, from his height and weight to the story behind his missing finger, his World Cup status, and how he matches up against elite strikers like Erling Haaland.
What is Dan Burn’s height and weight?
- Dan Burn is one of the tallest players in the Premier League, listed at 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) by ESPN, though Newcastle’s official site says 198 cm (6 ft 6 in).
- He lost his left ring finger in a childhood farm accident.
- He earned his first England call-up at age 32 in March 2025.
- He has been a key part of Newcastle’s defensive improvement under Eddie Howe.
- His career includes over 500 appearances across multiple clubs.
- He can play both centre-back and left-back, offering tactical versatility.
- He made his England debut on 21 March 2025.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Daniel Johnson Burn |
| Born | 9 May 1992, Ashington, England |
| Height | 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) or 198 cm (6 ft 6 in) – conflicting sources |
| Weight | 87 kg (192 lbs) |
| Position | Centre-back, Left-back |
| Current Club | Newcastle United (No. 33) |
| International | England call-up March 2025, 8 caps (as of March 2025) |
| Finger | Missing left ring finger (farm accident in childhood) |
What happened to Dan Burn’s finger?
Dan Burn is missing his left ring finger, a distinctive physical trait that fans often notice. According to multiple biographical sources, he lost the finger as a child in a farm accident. The story has been widely reported in the media and is included in his official club biography, though no medical records or official statements from the player himself confirm the exact circumstances in great detail.
Despite the missing finger, Burn has never shown any impairment in his playing ability. He uses his left foot as his preferred foot and has built a career as one of the most physically commanding defenders in English football.
The missing finger is on his left hand and is the result of an accident on a farm when he was young. It does not affect his grip or performance on the pitch. No other hand injuries have been reported in his professional career.
What position does Dan Burn play?
Burn is primarily a centre-back but has also been deployed as a left-back on multiple occasions. His height and left-footedness make him an asset on the left side of central defence, and Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has used him in both roles depending on tactical needs.
His ability to cover both positions adds depth to the squad and allows flexibility in defensive setups. At 2.01 m, he is also a dominant aerial presence, particularly useful for defending set pieces and marking tall forwards.
In the 2023/24 season, Burn made appearances at left-back during injury crises and performed reliably, showcasing his adaptability beyond his natural centre-back role.
Has Dan Burn ever played in a World Cup?
As of 2025, Dan Burn has not played in a FIFA World Cup tournament. He received his first senior England call-up in March 2025 under Thomas Tuchel, which came after the 2022 World Cup had already taken place. His involvement so far has been limited to World Cup qualification matches against Albania and Latvia.
Whether he will be selected for the 2026 World Cup depends on his form and the manager’s decisions. No guarantee of participation exists at this stage.
How does Dan Burn perform against top players like Erling Haaland?
Burn’s physical profile – tall, strong, and left-footed – makes him a natural candidate to mark tall strikers such as Erling Haaland. In matches between Newcastle and Manchester City, Burn has been assigned the task of containing Haaland in aerial duels and physical battles. No public head-to-head stats are available that isolate Burn’s performance against Haaland, but match reports from the 2023/24 season note that Burn’s height and positioning helped limit Haaland’s usual dominance in the air.
His ability to read the game and stay disciplined in one-on-one situations has earned praise from analysts. However, the sample size of direct matchups is relatively small, and conclusions should be drawn with caution.
No official statistics quantify Dan Burn’s defensive success specifically against Erling Haaland. The observations above are based on general match analysis, not controlled data.
What is Dan Burn’s career timeline?
- 1992: Born in Ashington, Northumberland on 9 May.
- Early career: Played youth football for Blyth Spartans, then moved through Darlington, Fulham, and Birmingham City academies.
- 2012: Made professional debut on loan at Darlington.
- 2016: Joined Fulham permanently, later moving to Brighton & Hove Albion.
- 2022: Transferred to Newcastle United for £13 million on 31 January.
- 2023–24: Played a key role in Newcastle’s Champions League campaign.
- March 2025: First senior England call-up at age 32; debut on 21 March.
What information about Dan Burn is confirmed and what remains unclear?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Burn’s height: varies by source – 2.01 m (6 ft 7 in) per ESPN/England Football; 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) per Newcastle official site. The discrepancy may be due to different measurement methods. | No official explanation has been provided for why different sources list different heights. It is unclear whether measurements are taken with or without shoes. |
| Burn has not played in a World Cup tournament. He was called up for World Cup qualifiers in March 2025. | Whether he will be selected for the 2026 World Cup squad is not known at this time. |
| He is missing his left ring finger due to a childhood farm accident. This is widely reported and referenced in his club biography. | No official medical statement from Burn or Newcastle United details the accident. The exact year and circumstances are not publicly documented. |
What is the background behind Dan Burn’s rise to the top?
Dan Burn’s journey to Premier League and international football is far from typical. Unlike many top players who progress through elite academies, Burn spent time in non-league football and worked ordinary jobs before breaking through. According to a BBC profile, he worked in a factory and as a bouncer while chasing his football dream. His physical attributes – particularly his height and left-footedness – eventually earned him a chance at Fulham, then Brighton, and finally Newcastle United.
His late rise to the England setup at age 32 highlights the merit-based selection under manager Thomas Tuchel and the depth of English defensive talent. Burn’s story resonates with fans because it reflects perseverance over privilege.
What do official sources say about Dan Burn?
“Daniel Johnson Burn (born 9 May 1992) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or left-back for Premier League club Newcastle United.”
– Wikipedia
“The Newcastle United central-defender received his first international call-up at any level at the age of 32 in March 2025.”
– England Football
“Burn – Ashington-born and Blyth-raised – has been outstanding since joining in 2022.”
– Newcastle United
What might be next for Dan Burn?
With his England debut already under his belt, Burn’s immediate future includes possible appearances in World Cup qualifiers and friendlies. At club level, he remains a crucial part of Eddie Howe’s defensive plans at Newcastle United, with a contract that was extended in October 2023. If he maintains his form, a spot in the 2026 World Cup squad is not out of reach. For more on footballers who have taken unconventional paths, read about Jamie O’Hara – Biography, Career, and Life After Football.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dan Burn
What is Dan Burn’s date of birth?
Dan Burn was born on 9 May 1992.
How old is Dan Burn?
As of 2025, he is 34 years old.
What is Dan Burn’s full name?
Daniel Johnson Burn.
What happened to Dan Burn’s missing finger?
He lost his left ring finger in a childhood farm accident. It does not affect his playing ability.
Which clubs has Dan Burn played for?
Darlington, Fulham, Yeovil Town, Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Newcastle United.
How many goals has Dan Burn scored in his career?
Career totals vary by source; one estimate puts him at 25 goals in 546 appearances across all clubs.
What is Dan Burn’s weight?
ESPN lists his weight at 87 kg (192 lbs).
What is Dan Burn’s height in inches?
He is either 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) or 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m), depending on the source.
Does Dan Burn have an Instagram account?
Yes, his official Instagram handle is bigdanburn.
How many caps does Dan Burn have for England?
As of March 2025, he has 8 senior caps, all earned after his debut on 21 March 2025.
For more on the next generation of international talent, check out Alejandro Garnacho – Age, Transfer, Stats and World Cup 2026 Outlook.
Freddie Arthur Cooper Harrison is Editor-in-Chief of PopCulture UK, covering film, TV, music and celebrity news. He is accountable for the newsroom's editorial standards, and leads its sourcing and fact-checking process so that every article separates verified fact from rumour and is reviewed before publication.