For a chef at an Italian-themed café, cooking pizza for a player from your favourite football club is going to take some topping.

But that is what happened to John Cook when Newcastle United ace Sandro Tonali visited Café Italia at Adventure Valley near Durham on Sunday.

The Italian midfielder spent around four hours at the park with his partner and another family with their children who enjoyed seeing the pumpkin festival.

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The party enjoyed a meal of margherita pizza, cheeseburgers and chips with chicken nuggets for the kids.

Tonali, 23, who could face a lengthy ban if he is found to have breached betting rules by an ongoing investigation in Italy, was subbed on for Bruno Guimarães in the second half during Newcastle’s 4-0 demolition of Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Adventure Valley own Janine Calzini, who has an Italian father-in-law, and named the café in honour of the family’s heritage, said John is a huge Newcastle United fan.

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She said: “Sandro was very accommodating and signed autographs for all of the staff. It was a nice surprise for everyone.

“John is a massive fan and was luckily enough got a photo with him.

“When he heard he was in John ran to his car to get his phone and luckily Sandro was just outside the café.

“John was very chuffed.”