Shearer, Alan (1970-…), an English soccer player, became one of the most prolific goal scorers in the world. Shearer was top scorer at the 1996 European Championships with five goals. That year, he joined his hometown club, Newcastle United, for what was then a world record fee of 15 million pounds ($23.4 million). He was made captain of the England soccer team in September 1996.
Shearer was born on Aug. 13, 1970, in Newcastle, England. He first played with Southampton and made his first appearance for England in February 1992. He made over 100 appearances for Southampton. In 1992, he joined Blackburn Rovers, with whom he won the Premiership title in 1995. Shearer was named Premiership player of the year in 1995 and 1997. A serious injury in 1997 eventually forced Shearer to retire from international competition in 2000.
