Why does Dan Burn have nine fingers? England and Newcastle defender's bizarre childhood injury revealed

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 30: The hand of Dan Burn of Newcastle United during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Newcastle United FC at Old Trafford on December 30, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Dan Burn sustained a horrific injury to his right hand as a youngster (Image credit: Getty Images)

The reason Newcastle United and England defender Dan Burn has nine fingers is due to a traumatic childhood accident that occurred when he was 13 years old.

For years, many Premier League fans have watched the 6ft 7in defender without ever noticing that he is missing the ring finger on his right hand.

Burn opened up in detail about the gruesome incident in an interview with Sky Sports last year, explaining exactly how it happened.

Dan Burn is missing a finger on his right hand

Dan Burn of England sings the national anthem with teammates Ezri Konsa and Jordan Pickford prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England

It won't hinder him lifting the World Cup, if England make it that far, though (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to Burn, the injury occurred while hanging out with friends as a teenager.

"I'd been out with some friends, and I was showing off in front of a group of girls," he said. "I think a rabbit had got out and got into a community centre. So, I jumped the fence, not knowing there was a gate around the corner, and I was wearing a ring.

Dan Burn has been a very useful player for England when closing out matches

Dan Burn has been a very useful player for England when closing out matches (Image credit: Getty Images)

"It was a ring I was given off my grandad, so it was made of an old shilling, sort of solid. Then the spike got caught in the ring, and when I jumped off, it ripped me."

At first, Burn didn't realise the severity of his injury. It was only when he pulled back his sleeve that he saw the extent of the damage. He was rushed to the hospital, but his finger couldn't be saved.

While the injury hasn't hindered his football career in the Premier League or the journey to representing the England national team, Burn admits it has led to some funny and awkward situations in day-to-day life.

"I remember when I first started going out with my girlfriend, we used to go to McDonald's, you go through the drive-thru, hand over your money and when they give [the change] back, I'd put my hand out - the coins would fall between the gap of the car and the window.

"I'd open the door but I couldn't get the money back, so I would just have to leave it and just drive off. So contactless [payment] was the best thing that ever happened to me."

UNITED STATES - JULY 13: (EDITOR’S NOTE: This image, created on July 13, is a digital cutout composite of image numbers 2280721399, 2280721828, 2280721432, 2280721466, 2281268724, 2281268575, 2281268700 and 2281268651.) In this photo illustration, (L-R) Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Pickford, Harry Kane of England and Lionel Messi, Emiliano Martinez, Leandro Paredes and Julian Alvarez of Argentina ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between England and Argentina on July 13, 2026 in the United States. The match will be played at Atlanta Stadium on July 15, 2026. (Photo by FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

England vs Argentina awaits (Image credit: Getty Images)

Burn made his World Cup debut as a second half substitute in the Round of 16, making six clearances and two blocks to help ten-man England hold onto a 3-2 lead against co-hosts Mexico.

The 34-year-old was also introduced off the bench deep in extra-time against Norway, leveraging his towering aerial presence to help England defend their slender advantage and secure a place in the semi-final.

Joe Donnohue
Senior Digital Writer

Joe joined FourFourTwo as senior digital writer in July 2025 after five years covering Leeds United in the Championship and Premier League. Joe's 'Mastermind' specialist subject is 2000s-era Newcastle United having had a season ticket at St. James' Park for 10 years before relocating to Leeds and later London. Joe takes a keen interest in youth football, covering PL2, U21 Euros, as well as U20 and U17 World Cups in the past, in addition to hosting the industry-leading football recruitment-focused SCOUTED podcast. He is also one of the lucky few to have 'hit top bins' as a contestant on Soccer AM. It wasn't a shin-roller.

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