Newcastle legend Shearer thanks club for moving statue inside St James' Park | OneFootball

Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has seen his statue moved inside the grounds of St James' Park – six years after it was first erected.

The 10ft bronze sculpture of the club's record goalscorer was commissioned and paid for by the family of former Toon chairman Freddy Shepherd, but then owner Mike Ashley refused to put it up within the boundaries of the stadium.

Shearer's statue was instead placed on Barrack Road in 2016 – the council-owned land just outside St James'.

But Newcastle's new owners pledged to relocate it after taking control of the club from Ashley last year and on Tuesday it was craned into position next to the entrance steps at the Gallowgate West corner.

The club posted to social media pictures of the statue being moved with the caption, "Where he belongs", to which Shearer replied, "Thank you".