Alexander Isak is really 37 years old, was born in Newcastle and works a 9-5 job next to St James’ Park

What if you learned that Alexander Isak was really 37, lived in Killingworth and works at Newcastle University? Quite the humble switch-around from the £150million superstar who enjoys god-like status at St James’ Park.

Meet the man formerly known as David White, the Toon-daft superfan who took supporting Newcastle United to the extreme. Tattoos, some good, bad and ugly, have been proudly sported since the Magpies ended their 70-year domestic hoodoo against Liverpool last month.

But on the consequential spectrum, nothing compares to dedicating a whole new identity to Newcastle’s super Swede. For a little over £20, Alexander paid the ultimate tribute and changed his life forever.

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“I’ve done a full deed poll,” he tells NewcastleWorld. “To do it only cost around £20 but obviously I need to change my passports and everything. Thinking about Europe next season, I’m tempted to change my name back!”

But why? Was this a lost bet? A dare he could no longer renege on? How have his family and work colleagues reacted? There are so many questions to ask a man who embodies the bizarre and unique nature of the black-and-white religion. Unsurprisingly, this is also not Alexander’s first rodeo. 

“It was getting up to cup final week and I thought ‘We’ve got no chance here’,” he adds. “We were playing against the champions. I said on Facebook 'Whoever gets the winner is going to be my name going forward'. 

“I started getting messages saying 'What if it’s Virgil van Dijk?' I don’t think I would’ve made a good Van Dijk. Coming home from London on the Monday, I just said ‘Right, I’m doing it’. About a week later all the paperwork came through. 

“I’ve tried to get people at work to call me Alexander but they couldn’t get their heads around it. I don’t think my family are surprised. I’d already changed my middle name to Bruno after he scored against Southampton a couple of years ago.”

The obvious question is what happens if disaster strikes and Newcastle sell Isak this summer. Speculation has been rife all season, although the Magpies are in a strong negotiating position.

However, a drastic life event does beg the question. Nothing remains more frustrating for youngsters buying a replica shirt, only for their club to sell the player they got on the back weeks later.

Bottle that emotion and heighten the disappointment tenfold when a name change is involved. On the other hand, David… sorry, Alexander, prefers to look on the bright side of life.

“The bloke is an absolute hero, isn’t he?” Alexander finishes. “I always preferred Andy Cole to Alan Shearer and I think Isak is even better than him. He can do it all. 

“I can see this name sticking for a while. Getting a goal in the cup final was special. Even if we sold him, for me, that bloke will always be a hero for what he’s done.”

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