Who is Paul Gascoigne? The England football hero who started out at Newcastle United

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Paul Gascoigne is an icon of English football and a legend at Newcastle United.

Though his famed career came to an end in 2004, Paul Gascoigne is still a hugely popular figure in English football and at Newcastle United, one who is remembered for his incredible football talent and for playing with his heart on his sleeve.

‘Gazza’ was an attacking midfielder ahead of his time, blessed with technical skill that was rare in English players back then, who could thread a beautiful through ball as well as smash one in the top corner.

His ability on the pitch, coupled with his hilarious antics and his working-class roots, has left him largely regarded as one of England’s best and most popular footballers ever.

While his life in the two decades since he hung up the boots has been plagued by a series of hardships, he remains a beloved icon and here’s everything you need to know about him.

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Paul Gascoigne age

Paul John Gascoigne, named after Paul McCartney and John Lennon of The Beatles, was born in Gateshead on May 27, 1967, and is 58 years old as of November 2025.

Paul Gascoigne at Newcastle United

Gascoigne is considered Newcastle United’s best academy product ever.

The Magpies got lucky, though, as despite the talented youngster being on their doorstep, he first had trials with Ipswich Town, Middlesbrough and Southampton. All of them failed to spot Gascoigne’s potential, however, and that opened the door for Newcastle to sign him as a schoolboy in 1980.

Gascoigne inspired Newcastle’s youngsters to FA Youth Cup victory in 1985, catching the eye of manager Jack Charlton and making his senior debut shortly afterwards. When he signed his first professional contract, Charlton famously ensured that half of his £120-a-week wage was paid into a bank account so Gascoigne wouldn’t give all his money away.

Over the next three seasons, Gazza would shine in a struggling Newcastle team and begin to earn his reputation as one of the game’s best players. He was named PFA Young Player of the Year and made the Team of the Year for the 1987-88 season, and he is still considered one of Newcastle’s best midfielders ever.

But his talent attracted interest. Sir Alex Ferguson thought he had signed Gascoigne, but he instead decided to join Tottenham for a then British record transfer fee of £2.2m.

Paul Gascoigne’s career path and dates joined clubs

Gascoigne played for nine clubs in his playing days and here is how his career path went:

• Newcastle United – 1980-1988
• Tottenham Hotspur – 1988-1992
• Lazio – 1992-1995
• Rangers – 1995-1998
• Middlesbrough – 1998-2000
• Everton – 2000-2002
• Burnley – 2002
• Gansu Tianma – 2003
• Boston United – 2004
• England – 1988-1998

Paul Gascoigne career stats

Gascoigne’s career stats in full:

What trophies did Paul Gascoigne win in his career?

Gascoigne claimed a wealth of individual honours throughout his career and managed to win a few medals for his clubs, too, mostly for Tottenham and Rangers.

Newcastle United

• FA Youth Cup – 1984-85

Tottenham Hotspur

• FA Cup – 1990-91

Rangers

• Scottish Premier Division – 1995-96, 1996-97
• Scottish Cup – 1995-96
• Scottish League Cup – 1996-97

Paul Gascoigne net worth

Gascoigne managed to earn a lot of money in his playing days and was the highest-paid footballer in England following his move to Tottenham.

However, he has admittedly spent the vast majority of his fortune and was on the verge of bankruptcy in 2016, with reported debts of £200,000.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror in 2020, he said: “I’ve probably got through about £20 million when you take into account royalty payments, wages, sponsorship deals. I’ve bought some lovely clothes, jewellery, had some great holidays, I’ve really enjoyed it. “I gave a lot of money away to family. I’m not materialistic. If I was to wind my life back, I’d do it all again. I am happy.”

Paul Gascoigne dentist chair

Gascoigne has perhaps the most iconic England career of any international to wear the Three Lions.

His decade in the national team was full of dazzling skill, special goals and legendary moments.

Gazza famously cried in the semi-final of the World Cup at Italia ’90 after he was shown a yellow card against West Germany, which would have ruled him out of the final had England managed to get there.

At the other end of the spectrum, Gascoigne’s ‘Dentist Chair’ celebration at Euro ’96 is one of the most famous goal celebrations ever. After scoring a spectacular goal against Scotland, Gascoigne lay on his back as teammates sprayed water into his mouth.

This referenced a pre-tournament controversy when England stars were criticised for a boozy night out in Hong Kong, in which some players were tied to a dentist’s chair and had alcohol poured down their throats.

“There were about nine of us who did the Dentist’s Chair in Hong Kong, but obviously, being the person I am, I’m the one who got hammered for it,” Gascoigne told Pitch TV.

“For some reason, in the second game against Scotland, I just said, ‘right guys, whoever scores does the Dentist’s Chair’ and fortunately for me, it was me.

“The lads were clued in and it was good. It’s just a shame it was Lucozade in that bottle and not gin… I’m only joking!”

What’s Paul Gascoigne doing now?

Gascoigne’s life after his career has been marred by battles with alcoholism, drug addiction and mental health problems.

Speaking to The Mirror in October 2025, Gascoigne admitted he will never stop drinking.

He said: “I have not changed, I cannot change, I would not know how to change.

“Jimmy Greaves stopped drinking, but that is Jimmy Greaves,” he said. “I am not Jimmy Greaves and I am not George Best. “I don’t get drunk because I hate my mum and dad or I hate the public. It is not about that. I do it for the sake of it.

“I will probably die as Gazza. But I have nothing to hide. The whole country knows what I have done now.

“I drank because I wanted to drink, I regretted the consequences afterwards. Now, if I have a relapse, I do not go for weeks on end like I did before. Looking back, I must have hurt my mum and dad. But you do not think about it. The person you hurt the most is yourself.”

He released a new book, Eight, detailing the highs and lows of his eventful life in October 2025.