Callum Wilson and Joelinton agreed to change shirt numbers in a private conversation during Newcastle United's boot camp in York.
The former AFC Bournemouth star netted his first goal in the iconic jersey with a well-taken second-half strike against Doncaster Rovers in the 3-2 win at the Keepmoat Stadium last night.
Wilson's name was chanted throughout the night as fans made a welcome return to away games and for Wilson it was his first game in front of the Geordie crowd.
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When asked if it had been a big decision to take the shirt from Joelinton and hand it to Wilson, Steve Bruce told Chronicle Live "I think he had a quiet conversation with Joe and, with Joe being a team player, he didn't mind at all, so everybody is happy and Callum has got what he wanted.
"He has wanted the No 9 from day one I think."
When asked if he took his goal well after timing his run perfectly to latch on to Ryan Fraser's pass, Bruce said of the 104-goal career striker: "You'd expect that from him now wouldn't you?"
Wilson had only been served up a couple of half chances before his second half goal, but said after the game to Sky Sports: ""It's pre-season but it's nice to get off the mark.
"It is great to have that shirt.
"I try not to think about it too much because you don't want to let it affect your game.
"It is about the badge on your shirt not the number on your back, it is all about going out there and performing.
"It is about being in the present moment and get the goals."
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