Alexander Isak made his name in Germany, flourished in Spain and is now content in the north east of England but the Swedish striker has never forgotten his roots. Newcastle United’s superstar striker was born in Solna, a suburb on the outskirts of Stockholm, Sweden, to Eritrean parents.
In the mid-90’s Isak’s mother and father left their war-torn home in search of a better life and were welcomed into Sweden where the 25-year-old was born in 1999. Even now, all these years later, in the middle of a trophy procession in little old Newcastle, Isak is reminded of his heritage.
The striker documented much of Saturday’s incredible trophy parade around the city centre on his phone and shared an incredible piece of footage as Newcastle’s open top bus passed through the streets lined with passionate supporters. As the parade trickled along the Gallowgate, Isak spotted on ‘Sunshine’, an authentic Eritrean and Ethiopian restaurant, just a few hundred metres away from St James’ Park.
Those inside the restaurant could be seen crammed into very small windows, some hanging out over the pavement, while other fans had even made their way onto the roof of the restaurant to seek a better vantage point of the display – and Isak himself.
As the team bus made its way towards the Town Moor in the moments after, Isak swung his black and white scarf in the air, held the Carabao Cup trophy aloft and spoke with Ant & Dec as they led the celebrations on board. When the parade made its way to its final destination, the highly-rated and much sought-after striker made his feelings clear to silence any doubters who suggest he is eyeing a Newcastle exit.
“It’s impossible to describe this feeling,” Isak said on stage at the Town Moor. “I scored a goal a minute earlier which was offside.”My goal was probably the biggest of my career. Obviously, with it getting us the win in the end. It felt amazing.
“The support means the world to us. But it means more to see how much this means to the people. We’re so happy to give the city and the fans.”
