[url]fifa.com/world-match-centre/news/newsid/241/965/7/index.html[/url]

Former Newcastle United
striker Shola Ameobi has
signed a one-year contract
with second-division Turkish
club Gaziantep Buyuksehir
Belediyespor. The 32-year-old Nigerian international was a
free agent following his
departure from St James'
Park, where, after graduating
from the academy, he had
been a first-team player for 14 years.

A statement published on
Gaziantep's official website
read: "We want to establish an
ambitious team in the league
this season, and a strong
team continues to strengthen by adding players. We have
therefore tied Nigerian striker
Shola Ameobi - from one of
the strongest teams in
England, Newcastle United - to
us for one year."

Ameobi made 312 appearances
for the Magpies, scoring 53
goals, but much of his career
on Tyneside was plagued by
injury. He scored UEFA
Champions League goals against Barcelona in 2002 and
against Bayer Leverkusen the
following year, while his best
return in the English Premier
League saw him score nine
goals in 2005/06.

Ameobi's 11 goals in 21
appearances helped Newcastle
win promotion from the
Championship in 2010 but he
steadily became a fringe
player as boss Alan Pardew re-established the club in the
top flight. Gaziantep, who are
currently managed by Suat
Kaya, finished in 14th place in
the TFF First League - the
league below the Turkish Super Lig - last season.

space booked .........brb

incase

ABIOLAXYZ: space booked .........brb