Newcastle United signing Aleksander Mirtovic says he chose to wear the number 45 jersey at his new club as a tribute to Geordie legend Alan Shearer.

Mitrovic made the move to Tyneside from Belgian outfit Anderlecht this summer.

With Shearer's number 9 jersey currently being worn by Papiss Cisse, Mitrovic found another way to pay homage to his boyhood idol.

"Of course I know all about (Shearer), he is a legend," Mitrovic told Chronicle Live.

"He is one of the best strikers in football history.

"I didn't ask for (number 9) because Papiss Cisse already has it – and I don't want to fight with him!

"So I have chosen number 45 because it makes nine. The number is not a problem."