Alexander Isak: The rise and rise of Newcastle’s star striker

Isak has always dealt with the pressure of potential. As a 16-year-old he became the youngest scorer in local club AIK’s league history, and quickly established himself as a hot prospect across Europe. Comparisons to legendary countryman Zlatan Ibrahimovic soon followed, but the pair could hardly have been more contrasting.

Ibrahimovic’s brash, ego-driven persona was not shared by Isak. Born to Eritrean parents in Stockholm, he grew up humble and introverted, eventually developing into the sort of player and person Newcastle wanted to build their project around.

He has often been likened to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry – great with the ball at his feet, intelligence to roam centrally and out wide, all with a trademark effortlessness.

In 2017 Isak moved to Borussia Dortmund, a breeding ground for potential superstars, but unlike Jadon Sancho, Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland, life in Germany did not work out. Coaches who worked with him recognised his ability, but the player’s shyness stopped him from establishing himself.

However, one meeting between Isak and then Dortmund reserves boss Jan Siewert helped him turn his career around. Over coffee, Siewert showed the young striker two pictures side by side – one of the player sitting on the Dortmund substitutes’ bench, another of him smiling after scoring for Sweden. Siewart asked Isak what the difference was. Confidence. After opening up about his lack of it, Isak began to feel more comfortable.

Although he found his feet on loan in Holland with Willem II in 2019 – scoring 13 goals in 16 Eredivisie games – he joined Real Sociedad to go to the next level.

Isak did not possess the profile of a star, but his talent was not in question. Not forgetting where he came from or his values, he contacted his school Spanish teacher back in Sweden to thank them for helping him gain an understanding of the language, and they ended up reminiscing about a class trip to Barcelona.

Once settled in San Sebastian, Isak scored 17 goals in his second season, going on to impress at Euro 2020 with Sweden too. Though he did not score in the tournament, his group-stage performance against Slovakia showed exactly why he was so coveted, dribbling past defenders at ease and helping his country to a 1-0 win.

Speculation around him intensified, but just six goals in 32 games in 2021-22 reinforced the idea he was not ready to join an elite club for the fee being demanded – more than £60m.

Newcastle initially turned away from a deal at that price, but an injury to Callum Wilson changed their mind and they smashed their transfer record in August 2022.