Newcastle United's English striker #09 Callum Wilson waves to supporters at the end of the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Everton at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on May 25, 2025. Everton wins 1 - 0 against Newcastle United. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP)placeholder image
Newcastle United's English striker #09 Callum Wilson waves to supporters at the end of the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Everton at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on May 25, 2025. Everton wins 1 - 0 against Newcastle United. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP) | AFP via Getty Images
Callum Wilson is a free agent after leaving Newcastle United.
Last week, Wilson officially brought an end to his five-year spell at Newcastle after turning down a pay-as-you-play deal.
The 33-year-old sits third in the Magpies’ all-time Premier League goalscorer list with 47 goals, though his last strike came in May 2024. A hamstring injury forced him to miss the first-half of last season and when fit, he struggled to displace top scorer Alexander Isak.
It meant Wilson was restricted to just three starts in total, with his only goal coming in the FA Cup fourth round win away to Birmingham City.
Callum Wilson opens up on Newcastle United exit
With that in mind, Wilson admits it was the right time to take on a fresh challenge.
“I always had my thoughts in my head,” Wilson said. “Staying at Newcastle with the Champions League and off the back of winning a trophy, signing all these players, it all sounds great and looks great, but for me as a player, when you’re not being able to contribute like you feel you could contribute, it doesn’t feel the same.
“If I was at a point where I was content with what I’ve done in my career and want to see the last few years fizzle out, sitting around and helping younger players then not a problem. But I still feel I can do that as well as play on the pitch.
“For me, looking at the bigger picture, Alex [Isak] has done fantastic last season and the season before so it’s difficult to get minutes.
“It’s OK, it’s not a problem but sometimes he’s not even coming off. It was five minutes here and there and I want more for myself. That was basically my decision.”
Callum Wilson addresses Burnley and Leeds United links
Speaking about his Newcastle exit to the i Paper, Wilson strongly suggested his preference is to remain in the Premier League after insisting he still has what it takes to compete at the highest-level.
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Pre-season is underway but Wilson has this week travelled to an overseas fitness camp before making a decision on his future.
Wilson said: “I had an amazing five years at Newcastle but football moves on so quickly. I’m at a point in my career now where I’m 33, I still have so much to give, but I’ve not been able to show it.
“When you’re coming on for five, 10 minutes here and there within a game, everyone thinks that you can’t play longer than that. Everyone thinks ‘he’s losing a yard of pace’, all these other things, but obviously coming on as a substitute is completely different to starting a game.
“When you come on as a sub it’s so hard to catch a second wind and before you know it the game is over. That was the only thing for me. I still feel I can offer so much.”
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