Yoane Wissa, Newcastle United’s new £55m signing, is set to debut this Saturday against Wolves.
His journey to the Premier League has been one of extraordinary resilience, marked by a near-fatal acid attack in July 2021, just before he joined Brentford.
The assault, which could have ended his career, instead fueled his determination to succeed.
Despite the horrific experience, Wissa’s focus never wavered. His former manager at Lorient noted his strong will, a trait that has defined his career and led to his remarkable rise from the French second division.
While his resolve is clear, Wissa’s departure from Brentford was not without controversy.
He publicly pushed for the move to Newcastle, a decision that has “soured his legacy” with some Brentford fans.
However, his strong desire to join the club was exactly what Newcastle’s head coach, Eddie Howe, was looking for. The club’s persistence, including a final deadline-day bid, signaled a rare shift in their transfer policy to secure the forward.
At 29, Wissa is a late bloomer who had a standout season, scoring more non-penalty goals (19) than any other player in the Premier League.
Now, as the club’s new number nine, he is tasked with helping to fill the void left by Alexander Isak.
His former teammates believe he has more to give, and his story is a testament to turning a life-altering tragedy into a powerful catalyst for his dream move.
