Shola Ameobi looks set to leave Newcastle United after 19 years at the club (Picture: Getty Images)

Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi looks to have signalled the end of his 19-year association with the Toon after allegedly rejecting a one year contract extension in favour of prolonging his career elsewhere.

Affable Ameobi has always been dependable, hardworking, and, amongst the ever present turmoil which surrounds the Tyneside club, spoken about the Magpies with great affection – even after Joe Kinnear’s shambolic interview when he referred to him as Shola Amenobee.

It’s astonishing the club are prepared to let the forward to quit the club and leave the Magpies with just the injured Papiss Cisse as its sole first-team goal scorer going into next season. A decision they could soon rue.



Shola is currently by far the club’s most experienced player and has experienced the rise and fall of the Magpies, scoring against Barcelona in the Champions League at the Nou Camp to taking on Plymouth Argyle in the Championship.


World Cup-bound Ameobi, who will turn 33 later this year, has affectionately become known as the ‘Mackem Slayer’ for his goals against arch-rivals Sunderland.

The lanky striker has scored seven goals against the Wearside club in his career but sadly now won’t get the chance to try and top Geordie legend Jackie Milburn.

Ameobi played his last game for Newcastle against Liverpool on the final day of the season (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

Nigerian born Ameobi first appeared for the club in the new millennium when he was given his debut by the late great Sir Bobby Robson and went on to play under eight more managers during his time on Tyneside.

He joined the Toon as a youth player and remained on Tyneside his whole career, other than a few appearances for Stoke City when Kevin Keegan sent him out on loan in 2008.

Many neutral fans still see Shola as a young gun, which probably says a lot more about him not completely fulfilling his potential or perhaps cementing his place as the first forward on the team sheet.

The striker’s best goal scoring return came in the Championship winning campaign of 2009/10 when he scored 11 times.

Ameobi’s imminent exit means his last showing for Newcastle United, and his 397th appearance, was cut short when he was red carded for dissent against Liverpool.

All the talk in the press has been of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic’s exits from Old Trafford, as well as Ashley Cole announcing he plans to quit Stamford Bridge.

Shola deserves the plaudits for sticking with the Magpies through thick and thin and scoring some iconic and crucial goals for the Toon.

So sit back for ten minutes and enjoy an amazing compilation paying tribute to a club legend and a gentleman.

MORE: Club Metro