shola Ameobi is heading back to Newcastle after cancelling his contract with Turkish second tier side Gaziantep BB.

But the experienced striker – backed by Alan Pardew to one day become United manager – is returning for family rather than football reasons.

The Turkish club confirmed on Wednesday that Ameobi, who had played 11 times and scored four times for the Turkish side, had asked to have his one-year contract dissolved so that he could return to the North East for personal reasons.

Ameobi’s move to Turkey came despite interest from England, America and Australia but it has not worked out, with the striker not selected for the Nigeria side since the World Cup in Brazil.