Alexander Isak is a Swedish international who joined Newcastle for a fee of £60 million in August 2022, which made him the most expensive player ever signed by the club.
The striker has made a big impact at the club and now regularly leads the line for the Toon Army. At a club who adore their centre forwards, Isak could be Newcastle’s number 9 for many years to come.
There are two Isak chants. The hitman scored on his debut, at Anfield, in September 2022, and the Gimme a Striker from Sweden chant has been heard ever since. It’s sung to the tune of Gimme Gimme Gimme by ABBA.
He then created Toon immortality for himself when he netted a brace at local rivals Sunderland, earning him a place in the prized ‘He Put the Ball in the Mackems’ Net’ chant, following on from the Mackem Slayer Shola Amoebi.
Isak ‘Who Put the Ball in the Mackems’ Net chant lyrics
Who put the ball in the Mackems’ net
Who put the ball in the Mackems’ net
Who put the ball in the Mackems’ net,
Alexander Isak!
Gimme Gimme Gimme a Striker from Sweden song lyrics
Gimme gimme gimme a striker from Sweden,
He’s our number 14,
And he plays in attack,
Gimme gimme gimme a striker from Sweden,
First name’s Alexander,
And his sur name’s Isak.
Alexander Isak chant video
What’s the history of the Aleksander Isak chants?
As mentioned, the original Isak chant was heard on the Swede’s Newcastle debut, away to Liverpool, but has its origins on social media and at bars even before the game.
Meanwhile ‘Who Put the Ball in the Mackems’ Net?’ was heard after the striker put Sunderland to the sword in their own backyard in January 2024.
These two chants aren’t the only Newcastle songs Isak’s referenced in, though, as he’s also mentioned in the We’ve Got Bruno in the Middle song.
What tune is Gimme a Striker from Sweden sung to?
The chant is sung to the tune of Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) by ABBA, who are of course Sweden’s other finest export.
Released in 1979, it’s a disco-pop song that features a pulsing synthesiser riff and powerful vocal performances, and has become one of the band’s most popular and enduring hits.
Aleksander Isak key facts
- Born: September 21, 1999, to Eritrean parents and raised in Solna Municipality, Sweden
- Career: AIK, Borussia Dortmund, Willem II, Real Sociedad, Newcastle
- Been compared to Zlatan by Swedish football fans, and is sometimes known as ‘Giraffe’ due to his tall stature
- Youngest ever goalscorer for both AIK and the Sweden national team
- Has forged a good partnership with fellow striker Callum Wilson