Premier League cult hero, 34, looks unrecognisable as he celebrates 200th career goal
CHARLIE AUSTIN looked unrecognisable as he finally reached the 200 goal club.
The former QPR and Southampton hitman is currently plying his trade in League Two with Swindon Town, who he re-joined in December 2022.
The 34-year-old closed out the 2023/24 season by bagging his 200 and 201st career goals in The Robins 3-3 draw with Tyson Fury‘s Morecambe last Saturday.
And after footage of his milestone spread like wildfire on social media, Prem fans realised the striker has been showcasing a new look for several months.
Austin has ditched the thick brown hair he was remembered for having in favour of a buzz cut.
His new look comes as a huge surprise as he hasn’t shown any sign of balding in recent years.
What didn’t come as a surprise, however, was the well-travelled striker’s reaching of the 200-goal mark, a feat he achieved in 655 career appearances.
He said of his brace: “[I was] just in the right place at the right time.
“[The first goal], it was a good ball in from Seany Mac (Sean McGurk) and a good ball in from Fraser [Blake-Tracy].
“It was nice to score two. Shame we couldn’t end on a high, but that’s the season.”
Austin had been stuck on 199 goals for the best part of two months and was relieved to have finally reached the milestone.
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He said: “[It’s] 201 goals to me, 203 to Sky. I don’t really know.
“It’s nice to put it to bed and finally get there, so I’m delighted.”
Austin is set to enter free agency in a matter of weeks and admits he doesn’t know if he’ll sign a new deal at the County Ground.
As Swindon players did a lap of honour, he told The BBC: “All that kind of stuff is way over my [head].
“I’m gonna enjoy this now becuase I don’t know whether I’ll be back or not.”