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Callum Wilson Signed For Newcastle United Because Of 'Goal!' Film

Callum Wilson Signed For Newcastle United Because Of 'Goal!' Film

Wilson is the latest player to state that watching the classic film played a part in his move...

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Callum Wilson says watching the classic 2005 football film 'Goal! The Dream Begins' played a part in his move to Newcastle United.

Despite reported interest from Aston Villa, the England international sealed a £20 million switch to St James' Park and has already acknowledged the importance of Santiago Munez's fictional story in his decision to sign for the Magpies.

The movie sees the beloved Mexican, an immigrant living and working at a restaurant at Los Angeles, pull on the black and white stripes of Newcastle after a successful trial.

In a true rags to riches story, he ends up scoring the goal that seals Champions League qualification for the next season. It's considered to be one of the greatest football films ever made and Wilson has revealed both he and his son are fans.

The former AFC Bournemouth man told Newcastle's official website: "My son is getting to that age now where he's watching more movies and more football. He watched 'Goal!' so I'm sitting there watching it with him and it's all about Newcastle.

"I got the little boy in me excited and you're thinking, 'Yeah that's the one for me'."

Wilson is one of a whole host of players who have cited Goal! as a reason why they have penned a deal with the Geordie club, with Isaac Hayden, Kenedy, Papiss Cisse, Jonas Gutierrez and Islam Slimani all going on record.

The cult film continues to help Newcastle in the transfer market as it gave them a whole new level of exposure.

Earlier this year SPORTbible caught up with Kuno Becker, the actor who played everyone's favourite fictional footballer, and he expressed his interest in returning to Tyneside at some point in the future.

He said: "I love Newcastle more than anybody maybe because I 'played' there in the movie and I got to know the guys, as well as the previous owners.

"I saw this one player say that he knew the team because of the movie and I was just like 'What?!"

"I haven't been in Newcastle since the movie. I would love it. Why not? I love that place. I had a great time there, incredibly great experiences and the movie means a lot to me.

"I love Geordies. There's always a smile, a 'good morning' and there's always patience and gratefulness. Small town people in a good way. Passionate and happy."

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Topics: Football News, newcastle, Football, Callum Wilson, Newcastle United