Alan Shearer will go down as one of the greatest players in Newcastle United's history. The legendary striker holds the goalscoring record and remains a folk hero among fans almost 18 years after he called time on his career.

Shearer famously joined Newcastle in 1996 in what was then a word record transfer fee. The Magpies smashed the record in agreeing to pay Blackburn Rovers £15million for the striker's services, returning him to his Geordie roots.

It may have been a monster fee at the time but it proved to be a bargain. Shearer repaid every penny, providing leadership, goals, magical moments and becoming an icon for young fans around Tyneside and beyond. While he wasn't able to bring silverware to the club - defeats in the 1998 and 1999 FA Cup finals and a UEFA Cup semi-final loss against Marseille in 2003 the closest he came - his status as a legend is assured.

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No player has scored more goals in Newcastle's history than Shearer. His 206 strikes in 405 appearances means he sits top of the tree ahead of Jackie Milburn, whose record had stood for almost 50 years before it was broken in front of the Gallowgate in 2006.

Think Newcastle United and you think Shearer. However, the superstar has named another Geordie icon as the greatest player in the club's history.

Speaking on the Rest is Football, he was asked about Newcastle's best player. With a long list to choose from, Shearer plumped for a man he starred alongside - albeit briefly - when he first returned to St James' park.

“I wouldn’t ever say myself, so Peter Beardsley I think," said Shearer. "He was unbelievable, he was a great player. I didn’t see Jackie Milburn but certainly in my era, Peter Beardsley.”

Beardsley remains Newcastle's sixth leading goalscorer with 119 in 326 appearances. His United career spanned two spells, initially playing alongside Kevin Keegan and Chris Waddle as the club rose from Division Two into the top flight, before Keegan - then manager - brought him back to St James' Park in 1993.

In between, Beardsley had established himself as one of the most technically gifted players in English football, winning league titles and FA Cups at Liverpool before a spell at Everton. He also starred for England at two World Cups, striking up an incredible partnership with Gary Lineker.

Shearer and Beardsley played alongside each other on 37 occasions, both for Newcastle United and briefly for England. Beardsley was often deployed in midfield by Kevin Keegan, given the partnership up front of Shearer and Les Ferdinand.

Jackie Milburn remains, for many, the greatest player in Newcastle's history. He scored 200 goals in 397 appearances and won three FA Cups in 1951, 1952 and 1955. Other legends include Len White, Hughie Gallacher, Bob Moncur, Paul Gascoigne, Malcom Macdonald and Rob Lee.