Newcastle United has been a Premier League fixture for all but three years of the competition’s history.
As of July 2024, they’ve spent 92 seasons in the top flight and haven’t dipped below English football’s second tier since joining the Football League in 1893.
With four League titles, six FA Cups, an FA Charity Shield, and the 1968–69 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, they have the ninth-highest trophy count among English clubs.
Easily one of the Premier League’s most popular and recognizable clubs, Newcastle has a legacy of producing some of the most skillful and entertaining players in football history.
Central to their success have been the goals of some deadly frontmen. So, which 10 players have been the most prolific for Newcastle in the Premier League era?
1. Alan Shearer – 148
Alan Shearer is still the king of Premier League goals in a Newcastle kit.
During Euro 1996, Shearer shone brightly for the England national team, bagging the Golden Boot with five goals in five matches—a feat that left fans and opponents alike in awe.
Hailing from Tyneside, Shearer kicked off his career with Southampton in the old Division One before moving to Blackburn Rovers for the first of two record-breaking transfer fees.
It was at Blackburn that he netted 112 Premier League goals, leading them to title glory in the 1994/95 season.
In 1996, Shearer made a grand return home, signing with Newcastle for £15 million—a then-world record transfer fee. The goals flowed immediately, with 25 in his first season earning him his third consecutive Premier League Golden Boot.
Over the next nine seasons, Shearer hit the 20-goal mark three more times, despite being hampered by injuries. His goals, combined with his all-round play and leadership, were crucial to Newcastle’s revival under Sir Bobby Robson.
With Shearer at the helm, Newcastle not only challenged for the title but also returned to the Champions League, making fans dream of glory days once more.
2. Callum Wilson – 47 PL
Callum Wilson has been a dazzling addition to Newcastle United’s ranks. Wrapping up his AFC Bournemouth stint with 67 goals in 187 appearances, Wilson joined the Magpies in September 2020.
In just three years, his striking abilities have etched his name among Newcastle’s Premier League greats.
Despite being sidelined with a calf injury from December 2021 to May 2022, Wilson remained the team’s top scorer with six goals for that season. Now, that’s what you call leaving a mark – even when benched.
A double against Wolverhampton Wanderers propelled Wilson past the goal-scoring feats of Shola Ameobi and Andy Cole, both of whom netted 43 Premier League goals.
It took Wilson just 84 Premier League games to hit the 45-goal milestone for the St. James’ Park faithful.
Capping off the 2022–23 season as Newcastle’s top scorer with 18 goals, Wilson also ranked fifth overall in the Premier League. With such a sterling record, it’s no surprise he extended his contract until 2025.
The Toon Army can expect many more goals and moments of magic from their star striker.
3. Peter Beardsley – 46
Beardsley had already made his mark with his hometown club in the 1980s before enjoying significant success with Liverpool.
Known for his versatility, Beardsley often switched between midfield and striker roles. Before the Premier League era, he joined Newcastle United in 1983 for £150,000, playing a major role from 1983 to 1987 in the Second Division.
By 1993, “Little Gem,” as Bobby Robson dubbed him, had played for both Liverpool and Everton – Merseyside’s fierce rivals.
Returning to Newcastle, Beardsley formed a dynamic partnership with Andrew Cole, driving the team to a third-place finish. He scored 21 league goals that season, contributing to a combined total of 55 goals for the star duo.
Though his goal tally waned as he transitioned more into midfield, Beardsley still netted 26 Premier League goals for Newcastle.
His chemistry with Ferdinand, Shearer, and even Faustino Asprilla was nothing short of brilliant, proving his enduring talent and adaptability.
4. Andrew Alexander Cole – 43
Back in October 1989, Arsenal signed him on a professional contract after spotting his potential in their U18 squad.
However, they somehow missed the memo on his talent, and in 1992, Bristol City swooped in and snapped him up for £500,000.
In a smart move, Newcastle scooped him up from Bristol City for £1,750,000 just a year later. By January 1995, Manchester United came calling, and off he went for a then-British record fee of £7,000,000.
He didn’t waste any time proving his worth in the Premier League, racking up 34 league goals and 13 assists in 41 games, winning the top scorer spot on his first attempt, and bagging the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
The following season, he continued his hot streak with nine goals in the first 18 games, leaving him with an impressive record of 43 goals in 58 league matches.
His big-money move to Manchester United caused quite a stir on Tyneside, especially since he had a flair for scoring against his former club, including an unforgettable four-goal haul in a single game during the 1999/2000 season.
SEE ALSO | 10 Best Penalty Takers In Football History – 2024
SEE ALSO | Top 10 Premier League Right-Backs In 2024
4. Foluwashola “Shola” Ameobi– 43
Ameobi signed a pre-contract with Newcastle in July 1997, and climbed through the youth ranks, debuting for the reserves in October 1998 against Sunderland.
He made his first-team debut on September 9, 2000, in a home game against Chelsea, stepping in for the injured Alan Shearer and Carl Cort.
Ameobi went on to make 22 appearances that season.
For 14 years, the 6’3″ striker donned the Black and White, racking up 397 appearances.
Although he never reached double figures in Premier League goals during his 13 seasons, with his highest tally being nine in the 2005/06 season, he was loved by the St James Faithfuls.
5. Les Ferdinand – 41
Having been snapped up by Newcastle in 1995 for £6 million, with Hayes pocketing £600,000 thanks to a nifty sell-on clause from his move to QPR.
With the windfall, Hayes built a function suite aptly named “The Ferdinand Suite” in his honor.
His arrival came nearly three years after Newcastle had offered QPR £3.3 million for him during their Division One promotion season—a bid that was turned down.
In his debut campaign, Ferdinand hammered in 25 league goals, earning the PFA Player of the Year award and a spot in the team of the season.
His two seasons saw him collect Premier League runners-up medals, first narrowly missing out on the title to Manchester United in a thrilling four-horse race also involving Arsenal and Liverpool.
The following season, Ferdinand was joined by Alan Shearer, the only player to outscore him the previous year. Together, they formed one of the most formidable duos in Premier League history.
Ferdinand added 16 more league goals to his tally before departing for Spurs—a move he later confessed to regretting. His league record for Newcastle stood at an impressive 41 goals in just 68 games.
