View source for Shola Ameobi

{{short description|Nigerian professional footballer|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Shola Ameobi
| full_name = Foluwashola Ameobi<ref name="Hugman2010-11">{{cite book|editor-first=Barry J.|editor-last=Hugman|title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11|year=2010|publisher=Mainstream Publishing|location=Edinburgh|isbn=978-1-84596-601-0|page=20}}</ref>
| image = Shola Ameobi 1.png
| image_size = 
| caption = Ameobi warming up for [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] in 2008
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|10|12|df=y}}<ref name=NUFC/>
| birth_place = [[Zaria]], Nigeria
| height = {{height|m=1.91}}<ref name=NUFC/>
| position = [[Forward (association football)#Striker|Striker]]
| currentclub = 
| clubnumber = 
| youthyears1 = 1995–2000
| youthclubs1 = [[Newcastle United F.C. Reserves and Academy|Newcastle United]]
| years1 = 2000–2014
| clubs1 = [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]
| caps1 = 312
| goals1 = 53
| years2 = 2008
| clubs2 = → [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] (loan)
| caps2 = 6
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2014–2015
| clubs3 = [[Gaziantep Büyükşehir Belediyespor|Gaziantep BB]]
| caps3 = 11
| goals3 = 4
| years4 = 2015
| clubs4 = [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]]
| caps4 = 4
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2015–2016
| clubs5 = [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]]
| caps5 = 8
| goals5 = 2
| years6 = 2016–2017
| clubs6 = [[Fleetwood Town F.C.|Fleetwood Town]]
| caps6 = 10
| goals6 = 1
| years7 = 2017–2018
| clubs7 = [[Notts County F.C.|Notts County]]
| caps7 = 51
| goals7 = 10
| totalcaps = 402
| totalgoals = 70
| nationalyears1 = 2000–2003
| nationalteam1 = [[England national under-21 football team|England U21]]
| nationalcaps1 = 20
| nationalgoals1 = 7
| nationalyears2 = 2012–2014
| nationalteam2 = [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]]
| nationalcaps2 = 10
| nationalgoals2 = 2
| club-update = 
}}

'''Foluwashola "Shola" Ameobi''' (born 12 October 1981) is a Nigerian former professional [[Association football|footballer]] who played as a [[Forward (association football)|striker]].

He spent 14 years at [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]], making 397 official appearances and scoring 79 goals, and received a winner's medal when they won the [[EFL Championship|Championship]] in 2010. He has the fifth most appearances as a [[Substitute (association football)|substitute]] in the [[Premier League]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.givemesport.com/1735996-top-10-players-with-most-sub-appearances-in-premier-league-history/ | title=Top 10 Players with Most Sub Appearances in Premier League History | date=11 August 2021 }}</ref> On leaving Newcastle in 2014, he briefly represented [[Gaziantep BB]] in Turkey, before brief spells at [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]], [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]], [[Fleetwood Town F.C.|Fleetwood Town]], and [[Notts County F.C.|Notts County]].

Born in Nigeria but raised in England, Ameobi was capped by the [[England national under-21 football team|England under-21 team]] before making his [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]] debut in 2012 and representing them at the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]].

==Early life==
Born in [[Zaria]], Nigeria to a family from [[Ijumu|Ijumu Local Government Area]] in modern-day [[Kogi State|Kogi]] State. Ameobi moved to Fenham, [[Newcastle upon Tyne]], England when he was five. His initial promise was spotted whilst attending the Walker Central Boys Club, before he was invited to attend Newcastle United's Academy.<ref name=NUFC>{{cite web|url=http://www.nufc.co.uk/page/Teams/PlayerProfile/0,,10278~7870,00.html|title=Shola Ameobi Profile|publisher=Newcastle United F.C.|access-date=31 October 2010|archive-date=26 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131226012847/http://www.nufc.co.uk/page/Teams/PlayerProfile/0,,10278~7870,00.html|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Club career==

===Newcastle United===

====Early career====
Ameobi signed a pre-contract with Newcastle on 1 July 1997.<ref name=NUFC/> He progressed through the youth setup, making his debut in the reserves in 1998 on 11 October against Sunderland. He made his first team debut two years later, on 9 September 2000, in a home game against [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]].<ref name=NUFC/> He went on to make 22 appearances for Newcastle that season,<ref name=NUFC/> in lieu of the injured [[Alan Shearer]] and [[Carl Cort]].<ref name=NUFC/>

The 2002–03 Champions League saw some of Ameobi's finest performances including an equalising goal against [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] in a 3–1 defeat at the [[Nou Camp]]<ref>{{cite news|date=11 December 2002|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/dec/11/minutebyminute.sport1|title=Barcelona 3 – 1 Newcastle|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=18 October 2010|location=London|first=Anjana|last=Gadgil|archive-date=21 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521120806/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/dec/11/minutebyminute.sport1|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> as well as scoring two goals against [[Bayer Leverkusen]] in a 3–1 victory.<ref>{{cite news|date=19 February 2003|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/champions_league/2770553.stm|title=Newcastle stun Bayer|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|access-date=21 July 2011|archive-date=20 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920061943/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/champions_league/2770553.stm|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

His erratic form has earned him some criticism in the past, and although never having been claimed as a prolific goalscorer, many of his games were [[substitute (association football)|as a substitute]].{{citation needed|date=October 2010}} Due to injuries in the latter stages of the [[2005–06 Newcastle United F.C. season|2005–06 season]], Ameobi gained a regular starting place, and scored six goals in Newcastle's last 12 Premier League games.{{citation needed|date=October 2010}}

In the [[2006 UEFA Intertoto Cup]], Ameobi scored twice in Newcastle's away tie at [[Lillestrøm SK]] (3–0),<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/5203392.stm|title=L'strom 0–3 Newcastle (agg 1–4)|publisher=BBC Sport|date=22 July 2006|access-date=21 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920061943/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/5203392.stm|archive-date=20 September 2008|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> taking him to second place in the club's table of leading goalscorers in European competition with twelve goals, behind only Shearer.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://nufc.com/2011-12html/europe-stats.html|title=The Toon in Europe 1968–2009 the story so far...|publisher=NUFC.com|access-date=21 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110702203711/http://nufc.com/2011-12html/europe-stats.html|archive-date=2 July 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

====Injury, loan, and transfer attempts====
During the 2006–07 season, Ameobi needed a [[hip]] operation, a problem which had been plaguing him for two seasons. Newcastle's shortage of match-fit first team strikers during the previous season had forced him to postpone this surgery.<ref>{{cite news|date=25 October 2006|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11678_2393270,00.html|last=Dunn|first=Alex|title=Shola set for hip op|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=20 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112092822/http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11678_2393270,00.html|archive-date=12 January 2009|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The problem eventually forced [[Glenn Roeder]] to send Ameobi for surgery two months before the transfer window, making the 0–0 draw away game to [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] his last game and ruling him out for the rest of the season.{{citation needed|date=October 2010}} He had made 13 appearances (three as a substitute) and scored five goals.{{citation needed|date=October 2010}}

Ameobi and the Newcastle medical team reported his hip operation in the United States was a success and that the club doctors and medical staff would work on his rehabilitation.{{citation needed|date=October 2010}} It was originally thought that he would not be fit to play until the start of the [[2007–08 Newcastle United F.C. season|2007–08 season]], but his rehabilitation progressed quickly and he returned with three games remaining in the season, clocking approximately 30 minutes of match action against [[Reading F.C.|Reading]]<ref>{{cite news|date=1 May 2007|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11678_2454991,00.html|last=Pearson|first=James|title=Ameobi thrilled to return|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=20 October 2008|archive-date=12 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112091809/http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11678_2454991,00.html|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and making a further two appearances.

However, after failing to impress Newcastle manager [[Sam Allardyce]],<ref>{{cite news|date=21 January 2008|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3067108,00.html|title=Ameobi grabs Keegan lifeline|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=20 October 2008}}</ref> or [[Kevin Keegan]]<ref>{{cite news|date=15 February 2008|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_3148652,00.html|title=Keegan issues Ameobi warning|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=20 October 2008|archive-date=12 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112160045/http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_3148652,00.html|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> on 27 March 2008, Ameobi agreed a [[loan (association football)|loan]] deal with [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] until the end of the season, to help their promotion campaign. It is understood that a loan fee of around £500K was agreed and that a possible permanent transfer was also discussed subject to Stoke winning promotion.<ref>{{cite news|date=27 March 2008|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_3355333,00.html|title=Potters pounce for Ameobi|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=20 October 2008|archive-date=12 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112181959/http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_3355333,00.html|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Ameobi made his debut for Stoke against [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] on 29 March, the game ended 1–1. After playing for six games and not managing to score despite Stoke's gaining of promotion, Ameobi returned to Newcastle, and Stoke decided not to sign him permanently.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11678_3537502,00.html|last=Burton|first=Chris|title=Potters deny Ameobi deal|publisher=Sky Sports|date=8 May 2008|access-date=20 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112160421/http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11678_3537502,00.html|archive-date=12 January 2009|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

On 14 August, [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]] manager [[Jim Magilton]] confirmed that the club were in talks with Ameobi and that the club were keen to get the deal finalised as long as Ameobi was willing to play in the [[EFL Championship|Championship]]. However, on 17 August, Ameobi failed a medical, showing hamstring problems, and the deal collapsed.<ref>{{cite news|date=19 August 2008|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_4012544,00.html|title=Injury halts Ameobi move|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=20 October 2008|archive-date=12 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112092650/http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_4012544,00.html|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

====Return to fitness====
[[Image:Shola Ameobi warming up.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Ameobi warming up on the sidelines against [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]] in 2010.]]
Due to long-term injuries to [[Mark Viduka]] and [[Alan Smith (footballer born 1980)|Alan Smith]],{{citation needed|date=October 2010}} as well as shorter term injuries to [[Michael Owen]] and [[Obafemi Martins]],{{citation needed|date=October 2010}} Ameobi was able to start the 2008–09 season in the first team squad. He managed to score his first goal in two years for Newcastle in a 2–2 home draw with Manchester City on 20 October.<ref>{{cite news|date=20 October 2008|publisher=Sky Sports|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3023060,00.html|title=City deny ten-man Toon|access-date=20 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112000853/http://www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3023060,00.html|archive-date=12 January 2009|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> After the match, interim manager [[Joe Kinnear]] praised Ameobi and backed him to kick-start his career.<ref>{{cite news|date=21 October 2008|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11678_4364468,00.html|title=Kinnear wants Ameobi reaction|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=21 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090112100430/http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11678_4364468,00.html|archive-date=12 January 2009|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He followed this up with a goal in his next game away to [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] in a 2–1 defeat on 25 October.<ref>{{cite news|date=25 October 2008|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7674086.stm|title=Sunderland 2–1 Newcastle|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=26 October 2008|first=Owen|last=Phillips|archive-date=13 January 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090113051125/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7674086.stm|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He signed a new deal with the club in January 2009 to keep him contracted until 2012.<ref>{{cite news|date=7 January 2009|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/7815334.stm|title=Ameobi pens new deal at Newcastle|access-date=21 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208035343/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/7815334.stm|archive-date=8 February 2009|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

He scored a penalty to mark his 50th goal for Newcastle on 1 February 2009 against local rivals Sunderland to make the final score 1–1. He scored his first ever career hat-trick in Newcastle's first home match in the [[2009–10 Football League Championship|Championship]] against Reading on 15 August. The first two goals were diving headers, and he completed his hat-trick with a penalty, which he placed in the bottom left corner, sending the keeper the wrong way.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8194911.stm|title=Newcastle 3–0 Reading|publisher=BBC Sport|date=15 August 2009|access-date=16 August 2009|first=Mike|last=Henson|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090817164124/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8194911.stm|archive-date=17 August 2009|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He scored in the next game in a 1–0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday<ref>{{cite news|date=19 August 2009|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8201948.stm|title=Newcastle 1–0 Sheff Wed|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=21 July 2011|archive-date=28 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100128054107/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8201948.stm|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> taking his tally to four goals in three games, equalling his total for the previous season.{{citation needed|date=October 2010}} Following these early season performances he was named the Championship player of the month for August.<ref name="potm-aug-bbc">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8252347.stm|title=Ameobi wins player of month award|date=12 September 2009|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=12 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918124456/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8252347.stm|archive-date=18 September 2009|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

[[Image:Ameobi.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Ameobi playing against [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] in November 2010.]]
He got injured in Newcastle's 4–3 win over [[Huddersfield Town A.F.C.|Huddersfield Town]] in the [[EFL Cup|League Cup]].{{citation needed|date=October 2010}} The injury kept him out for three months but on his return he scored against Coventry with a left footed strike from the edge of the box.<ref>{{cite news|date=8 December 2009|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8391293.stm|title=Coventry 0–2 Newcastle|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=21 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091218035330/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8391293.stm|archive-date=18 December 2009|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He followed this up by scoring the second in Newcastle's 2–0 home win over Middlesbrough<ref>{{cite news|date=20 December 2009|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8420764.stm|title=Newcastle 2–0 Middlesbrough|last=Dawkes|first=Phil|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=21 July 2011|archive-date=28 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100128213951/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8420764.stm|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and their 2–2 away draw with Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8425107.stm|title=Sheff Wed 2–2 Newcastle|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=21 July 2011|date=26 December 2009|archive-date=15 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115102556/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8425107.stm|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> taking his tally to an impressive 8 goals from 9 starts.{{citation needed|date=October 2010}} Ameobi was subsequently sidelined with a hamstring injury but made the bench against [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]] on 29 March 2010. Ameobi appeared early in the second half as a substitute, and soon made his presence felt, firing in an angled left-footed shot off the post to give United the lead in a 2–0 victory.<ref>{{cite news|last=Etoe|first=Catherine|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8591800.stm|date=29 March 2010|title=Newcastle 2–0 Nott'm Forest|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=21 July 2011|archive-date=30 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100330054221/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8591800.stm|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 3 April 2010, Ameobi scored the decisive goal in a 3–2 victory at [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]].<ref>{{cite news|date=3 April 2010|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8594905.stm|title=Peterborough 2–3 Newcastle|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=21 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406023646/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8594905.stm|archive-date=6 April 2010|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

On 22 September 2010 Ameobi scored two goals in a surprise victory away at Chelsea in the [[EFL Cup|League Cup]], including the winner in the 90th minute.<ref>{{cite news|date=22 September 2010|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/9010051.stm|title=Chelsea 3–4 Newcastle|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=21 July 2011|archive-date=12 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012012113/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/9010051.stm|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 16 October 2010, Ameobi came off the bench to score Newcastle's first in a 2–2 draw against [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/9093223.stm|title=Newcastle 2 – 2 Wigan|last=Chowdhury|first=Saj|publisher=BBC Sport|date=16 October 2010|access-date=16 October 2010|archive-date=8 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208081403/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9093223.stm|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> After his good performance against Wigan, he started the next game against [[West Ham United]] alongside [[Andy Carroll]] putting in a good performance as The Magpies came from 1–0 down to win 2–1. He scored twice in Newcastle's next league game on 31 October 2010 as Newcastle crushed local rivals Sunderland 5–1 at St. James' Park. On 2 January 2011, he scored the winner in a 1–0 win at Wigan Athletic.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/9324998.stm|last=Chowdhury|first=Saj|title=Wigan 0 – 1 Newcastle|publisher=BBC Sport|date=2 January 2011|access-date=3 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208080750/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9324998.stm|archive-date=8 February 2011|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Despite suffering with a cheek bone injury in February which required him to wear a mask which impaired his vision upon his return, he was a regular starter after Christmas with the sale of Andy Carroll. He signed a contract extension to the end of the 2013–14 season on 10 August 2011. His current deal was due to expire at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite news
 |url         = http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/article-23977045-ameobi-pens-newcastle-deal.do
 |title       = Ameobi pens Newcastle deal
 |work   = London Evening Standard
 |date        = 10 August 2011
 |access-date  = 10 August 2011
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20120125234711/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/article-23977045-ameobi-pens-newcastle-deal.do
 |archive-date = 25 January 2012
 |df          = dmy-all
}}</ref>

====Later career====
In the 2011–12 season, Ameobi became something of a fringe player, with the arrival of [[Demba Ba]] and later, [[Papiss Cissé]], pushing him onto the substitutes bench. But on Sunday 16 October 2011, against [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham]], Ameobi, a 71st-minute substitute for [[Leon Best]], scored a goal late on to make it 2–2. The next few games were an annoyance for Ameobi, with Ba finding his shooting boots and pairing well with Best and with Ameobi's inclusion in the starting line-up against Norwich ending up in a 4–2 defeat. On 4 March, Ameobi was yet again on the bench for a game against Sunderland, and brought on as a substitute for Cissé he scored a 91st-minute equaliser to get Newcastle back on terms and bringing his tally to 7 goals in 12 games against Sunderland for Newcastle,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tyers |first1=Alan |title=Newcastle United v Sunderland: live |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/9118462/Newcastle-United-v-Sunderland-live.html |access-date=6 September 2020 |work=The Telegraph |date=4 March 2012}}</ref> a record only bettered by [[Jackie Milburn]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Shola Ameobi Says His Many Goals Against Sunderland Were All Part of 'Destiny' |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2017/09/06/shola-ameobi-says-his-many-goals-against-sunderland-were-all-part-destiny |access-date=6 September 2020 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=6 September 2017}}</ref> His prolific goal scoring form against Sunderland has led many sections of the Newcastle support to refer to him as "The [[Mackem]] Slayer".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Storey |first1=Daniel |title=Shola Ameobi on football, faith and becoming a black-and-white hero… again |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/shola-ameobi-interview-exclusive-notts-county-newcastle-a7832071.html |access-date=6 September 2020 |work=The Independent |date=9 July 2017}}</ref> His next league goal came nine months later, in a 1–0 win over [[Queen's Park Rangers|QPR]] on 22 December.

[[File:Metalist-Newcastl (5).jpg|thumb|right|Ameobi ''(back; third from right)'' in Magpies colours, facing [[FC Metalist Kharkiv|Metalist Kharkiv]] in the [[UEFA Europa League|Europa League]] in 2013.]]
During Newcastle's [[2012–13 UEFA Europa League|Europa League]] campaign, Ameobi scored three goals in the competition; the opening goal in a 3–0 win over [[FC Girondins de Bordeaux|Bordeaux]] on 4 October 2012; the equaliser in a 2–2 draw with [[Club Brugge K.V.|Club Brugge]] on 8 November 2012, and the only goal of the game from the penalty spot to secure a 1–0 aggregate victory over [[FC Metalist Kharkiv|Metalist Kharkiv]] on 21 February 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/358650/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739|title=Ameobi fires Magpies into last 16|work=[[ESPN FC]]|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=21 February 2013|access-date=21 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522194525/http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/358650/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739|archive-date=22 May 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Ameobi scored in a 2–0 win over [[Morecambe F.C.|Morecambe]] in the second round in the [[EFL Cup|League Cup]] (with his [[Sammy Ameobi|younger brother]] scoring the second goal) on 28 August 2013. Ameobi's next goal would come in the league when he scored the opening goal in a 2–1 home loss to [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]] on 19 April 2014, and he also scored the opening goal in a 3–0 win over [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]]. On the final day of the season and also, his final appearance for Newcastle, Ameobi was sent off for dissent in a 2–1 away loss to [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]].

On 23 May 2014, it was confirmed by Newcastle United that they would be parting company with Ameobi after 14 years of service for the [[Tyneside]] club.<ref>{{cite news|last=Marshall |first=Anthony |url=http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20140523/magpies-announce-retained-list_2281670_3831014 |title=Newcastle United Announce Retained List |date=23 May 2014 |access-date=23 May 2014 |publisher=[[Newcastle United F.C.]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524022515/http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20140523/magpies-announce-retained-list_2281670_3831014 |archive-date=24 May 2014 }}</ref>

===Gaziantep BB===
On 11 August 2014, Ameobi signed for Turkish club [[Gaziantep Büyükşehir Belediyespor]] on a one-year contract.<ref>{{cite web|title=Foluwa Shola AMEOBI Transferi|url=http://gaziantepbbspor.com/detail/238/foluwa-shola-ameobi-transferi.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811222859/http://gaziantepbbspor.com/detail/238/foluwa-shola-ameobi-transferi.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 August 2014|publisher=Gaziantep Büyükşehir Belediyespor|access-date=11 August 2014|language=tr|date=11 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Transfer news: Former Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi signs one-year deal in Turkey|url=http://www1.skysports.com/transfer/news/12040/9417694/transfer-news-former-newcastle-striker-shola-ameobi-signs-one-year-deal-in-turkey|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=11 August 2014|date=11 August 2014}}</ref> He made his debut on 13 September, in a goalless draw against [[Kayserispor]], playing the full match and getting booked in the third minute.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kayserispor vs. Gaziantep BB – 13 September 2014|url=https://sg.soccerway.com/matches/2014/09/13/turkey/1-lig/kayserispor/gaziantep-bbk/1798677/|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=16 September 2014}}</ref> He scored his first goal through a 35th-minute penalty in the 1–1 draw with [[Adanaspor]] on 19 September.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gaziantep BB vs. Adanaspor – 19 September 2014|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/09/19/turkey/1-lig/gaziantep-bbk/adanaspor-fk/1799669/|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=20 September 2014}}</ref>

Ameobi left the club on 29 December 2014, citing family reasons for his departure. He made 11 appearances and scored 4 goals during his time there.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ex-Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi leaves his club in Turkey to return to North East |url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ex-newcastle-united-striker-shola-ameobi-8368206|last=Douglas|first=Mark|work=Newcastle Chronicle|date=31 December 2014|access-date=1 January 2015}}</ref>

===Crystal Palace===
On 29 January 2015, Ameobi returned to the [[Premier League]] by signing for [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] until the end of the season. He was signed by [[Alan Pardew]], his last manager at Newcastle.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jordon Mutch and Shola Ameobi sign for Crystal Palace|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31045809|access-date=29 January 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 January 2015}}</ref> On 21 February 2015, he made his debut for the club after being substituted on for [[Joe Ledley]] in the eightieth minute against [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]].

In June 2015, Ameobi was released by Crystal Palace on expiry of his contract.<ref>{{cite web|title=Palace Confirm Retain List|url=https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2015/june/palace-confirm-retain-list/|publisher=Crystal Palace F.C.|date=10 June 2015|access-date=10 June 2015}}</ref>

===Bolton Wanderers===
On 23 October 2015, Ameobi signed for [[EFL Championship|Championship]] side [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]] on a short-term contract and was handed the number 26 shirt.<ref>{{cite news|title=Shola Ameobi signs for Bolton Wanderers|url=http://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/article/shola-ameobi-signs-for-bolton-wanderers-2760852.aspx|access-date=23 October 2015|work=Bolton Wanderers|date=23 October 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304140627/http://www.bwfc.co.uk//news/article/shola-ameobi-signs-for-bolton-wanderers-2760852.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> He made his debut a day later coming on as a 12th-minute substitute replacing [[Gary Madine]] in a 1–1 draw against [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]], in which Ameobi gave Bolton the lead in the 32nd minute.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bolton Wanderers 1–1 Leeds United|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34557370|access-date=24 October 2015|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 October 2015}}</ref> He left the club after his contract ended following Bolton's 3–1 victory over [[Milton Keynes Dons F.C.|MK Dons]] in which he scored in the 90th minute on 23 January 2016. Following the end of this contract, Ameobi offered to play for Bolton for free but Bolton were unable to do this, due to being under a transfer embargo.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ex-Newcastle United star Shola Ameobi offers to play for free – but cash-strapped Bolton Wanderers cannot sign him|url=http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/14230720.Ameobi_has_offered_to_play_for_free___but_cash_strapped_Wanderers_cannot_sign_him/|work=The Bolton News|date=26 January 2016}}</ref>

===Fleetwood Town===
On 12 February 2016, Ameobi signed for [[Fleetwood Town F.C.|Fleetwood Town]] until the end of the season,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/news/article/ameobi-fleetwood-town-newcastle-united-international-footballer-2950998.aspx|title=Shola Ameobi joins Fleetwood Town FC!|publisher=Fleetwood Town F.C.|date=10 February 2016}}</ref> and was handed the number 9 shirt.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/ftfc/status/698167726020419584|title=Fleetwood Town F.C. on Twitter: "NUMBER NINE: Shola Ameobi will be the Club's new number nine! #codarmy #ameobi"|publisher=Twitter|date=10 February 2016}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=January 2018}}{{Primary source inline|date=January 2018}}<ref>{{Cite news|last=sport|first=Guardian|date=2016-02-12|title=Shola Ameobi signs for League One Fleetwood Town until end of season|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/feb/12/shola-ameobi-signs-fleetwood-town|access-date=2020-05-24|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

===Notts County===
On 3 February 2017, Ameobi signed for [[Notts County F.C.|Notts County]] until 30 June 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/ameobi-is-a-magpie-again-3554219.aspx|title=Notts County FC Ameobi is a Magpie – again!|publisher=Notts County F.C.}}</ref> On 20 June 2017, Ameobi signed a new contract with the club.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40342926|title=Shola Ameobi: Notts County striker signs new contract|date=20 June 2017|publisher=BBC}}</ref>

He was released by Notts County at the end of the 2017–18 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44216750|title=Notts County: Shola Ameobi and Alan Smith leave League Two club|date=22 May 2018|access-date=24 May 2018|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref>

== Return to Newcastle United and new role ==
Ameobi returned to Newcastle United on 22 June 2019 as the club's first ever loan manager.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/shola-ameobi-reveals-plans-after-16469854|title=Shola Ameobi reveals his plans after being named Newcastle United's first ever loan manager|last=Ryder|first=Lee|date=2019-06-22|website=nechronicle|access-date=2019-06-23}}</ref>

==Personal life==
He is the older brother of fellow footballers [[Tomi Ameobi|Tomi]] and [[Sammy Ameobi|Sammy]].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=[[Newcastle United F.C.]]|url=http://www.nufc.co.uk/page/Teams/ReservePlayerProfile/0,,10278~2117098,00.html|title=Sam Ameobi Profile|access-date=31 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227184653/http://www.nufc.co.uk/page/Teams/ReservePlayerProfile/0,,10278~2117098,00.html|archive-date=27 February 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
His father, Dr John Ameobi, is a pastor in Newcastle Apostolic church, a Pentecostal church. All of the Ameobi boys were brought up in the church and have a strong faith. Ameobi is on the board of reference for CSW, an organisation working for religious freedom through advocacy and human rights.<ref>{{cite web|last1=CSW|title=Our Team|url=http://www.csw.org.uk/ourteam.htm|website=CSW|access-date=6 July 2016}}</ref>

==International career==
Nigerian-born Ameobi had a three-year spell with [[England national under-21 football team|England's under-21 team]], netting seven goals between 2000 and 2003.<ref name=NUFC/> Ameobi is the joint eighth highest goal scorer for the [[England national under-21 football team|under-21s]].<ref name=NUFC/>

In late 2009, Ameobi declared his interest in playing for [[Nigeria National Football Team|Nigeria]].<ref>[http://www.kickoff.com/news/12352/ameobi-wants-nigeria-call-up.php Ameobi wants Nigeria call-up] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610210029/http://www.kickoff.com/news/12352/ameobi-wants-nigeria-call-up.php |date=10 June 2015 }} KickOff Magazine, 20 November 2009</ref> On 14 January 2011, he was announced in the Nigerian national squad for the first time, for a friendly against [[Guatemala national football team|Guatemala]] in the United States, in February.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.supersport.com/football/article.aspx?Id=392726|title=Ameobi snubs England for Nigeria|date=14 January 2010|publisher=SuperSport|access-date=14 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140721055311/http://www.supersport.com/football/article.aspx?Id=392726|archive-date=21 July 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He withdrew from the replacement game against [[Sierra Leone national football team|Sierra Leone]] after breaking his cheekbone in a Premier League match.

On 1 November 2011, it was announced that FIFA had cleared Ameobi to play for Nigeria.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15524642|title=Fifa clears Shola Ameobi, Moses to play for Nigeria|date=1 November 2011|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=1 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121117003311/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/15524642|archive-date=17 November 2012|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In October 2012, Nigeria head coach [[Stephen Keshi]] expressed his interest in Ameobi joining the squad for the [[2013 Africa Cup of Nations]].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Sky Sports|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11678/8166744/|title=Nigeria are considering drafting Shola Ameobi into Africa Cup of Nations squad|date=15 October 2012|access-date=15 October 2012|archive-date=21 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521070342/http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11678/8166744/|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In November 2012, Ameobi received his second call-up for the Nigeria national team against [[Venezuela national football team|Venezuela]]. He made his debut on 14 November, appearing as a substitute in the 60th minute for former Newcastle teammate [[Obafemi Martins]]. In stoppage time at the end of the game, Ameobi laid on a pass for [[Ogenyi Onazi]] to make the score 3–1 to Nigeria.

He scored his first international goal for Nigeria on 10 September 2013, against [[Burkina Faso national football team|Burkina Faso]] in a friendly in Kaduna, Nigeria. In November 2013, he scored his second goal against Italy, in a friendly at [[Craven Cottage]].

On 12 May 2014, he was named in Nigeria's 30-man provisional squad for the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/13/nigeria-world-cup-squad-odemwingie-amoebi-aluko|title=Nigeria World Cup squad: Peter Odemwingie returns from exile|date=12 May 2014|access-date=14 May 2014|work=[[The Guardian]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514005931/http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/may/13/nigeria-world-cup-squad-odemwingie-amoebi-aluko|archive-date=14 May 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and later made the final 23-man squad. During the tournament, Ameobi made a total of two substitute appearances for the Super Eagles, failing to score in either and ultimately seeing out his side's 2–0 exit to [[France national football team|France]] as an unused substitute.<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Yahoo Eurosport|url=https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/players/shola-ameobi/|title=Shola Ameobi World Cup Profile for 2014 in Brazil|date=1 August 2014|access-date=5 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805185031/https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/players/shola-ameobi/|archive-date=5 August 2014|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Career statistics==

===Club===
Scource:<ref>{{Soccerbase|22171|accessdate=10 May 2018}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
!rowspan=2 width=140|Club
!rowspan=2|Season
!colspan=3|League
!colspan=2|National Cup{{efn|England – [[FA Cup]]; Turkey – [[Turkish Cup]]}}
!colspan=2|League Cup{{efn|England – [[EFL Cup|League Cup]]}}
!colspan=2|[[UEFA#Club|Europe]]
!colspan=2|Total
|-
!Division
!width=40|Apps!!width=40|Goals
!width=45|Apps!!width=45|Goals
!width=45|Apps!!width=45|Goals
!width=40|Apps!!width=40|Goals
!width=40|Apps!!width=40|Goals
|-
|rowspan=15|[[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]]
|[[2000–01 Newcastle United F.C. season|2000–01]]
|[[Premier League]]
|20||2||2||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||22||2
|-
|[[2001–02 Newcastle United F.C. season|2001–02]]
|Premier League
|15||0||1||0||3||2||6{{efn|Appearances in the [[UEFA Intertoto Cup]].|name=itc}}||3||25||5
|-
|[[2002–03 Newcastle United F.C. season|2002–03]]
|Premier League
|28||5||1||0||0||0||10{{efn|Appearances in the [[UEFA Champions League]].|name=ucl}}||3||39||8
|-
|[[2003–04 Newcastle United F.C. season|2003–04]]
|Premier League
|26||7||1||0||1||0||13{{efn|Two appearances in the UEFA Champions League; Eleven appearances, three goals in the [[UEFA Cup]].}}||3||41||10
|-
|[[2004–05 Newcastle United F.C. season|2004–05]]
|Premier League
|31||2||5||3||2||1||7{{efn|Appearances in the UEFA Cup.}}||1||45||7
|-
|[[2005–06 Newcastle United F.C. season|2005–06]]
|Premier League
|30||9||3||0||0||0||1{{efn|name=itc}}||0||34||9
|-
|[[2006–07 Newcastle United F.C. season|2006–07]]
|Premier League
|12||3||0||0||0||0||4{{efn|Two appearances, two goals in the UEFA Intertoto Cup; Two appearances in the UEFA Cup.}}||2||16||5
|-
|[[2007–08 Newcastle United F.C. season|2007–08]]
|Premier League
|6||0||0||0||2||0||colspan=2|—||8||0
|-
|[[2008–09 Newcastle United F.C. season|2008–09]]
|Premier League
|22||4||0||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||22||4
|-
|[[2009–10 Newcastle United F.C. season|2009–10]]
|Championship
|18||10||2||0||1||1||colspan=2|—||21||11
|-
|[[2010–11 Newcastle United F.C. season|2010–11]]
|Premier League
|28||6||0||0||2||3||colspan=2|—||30||9
|-
|[[2011–12 Newcastle United F.C. season|2011–12]]
|Premier League
|27||2||2||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||30||2
|-
|[[2012–13 Newcastle United F.C. season|2012–13]]
|Premier League
|23||1||1||0||1||0||10{{efn|Appearances in the [[UEFA Europa League]].|name=uel}}||3||35||4
|-
|[[2013–14 Newcastle United F.C. season|2013–14]]
|Premier League
|26||2||1||0||2||1||colspan=2|—||29||3
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!312!!53!!19!!3!!15!!8!!51!!15!!397!!79
|-
|[[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] <small>(loan)</small>
|[[2007–08 Stoke City F.C. season|2007–08]]
|[[EFL Championship|Championship]]
|6||0||0||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||6||0
|-
|[[Gaziantep Büyükşehir Belediyespor|Gaziantep BB]]
|[[2014–15 TFF First League|2014–15]]
|[[TFF First League]]
|11||4||0||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||11||4
|-
|[[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]]
|[[2014–15 Crystal Palace F.C. season|2014–15]]
|Premier League
|4||0||0||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||4||0
|-
|[[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]]
|[[2015–16 Bolton Wanderers F.C. season|2015–16]]
|Championship
|8||2||2||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||10||2
|-
|[[Fleetwood Town F.C.|Fleetwood Town]]
|[[2015–16 Fleetwood Town F.C. season|2015–16]]
|[[EFL League One|League One]]
|10||1||0||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||10||1
|-
|rowspan=3|[[Notts County F.C.|Notts County]]
|[[2016–17 Notts County F.C. season|2016–17]]
|[[EFL League Two|League Two]]
|17||4||0||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||17||4
|-
|[[2017–18 Notts County F.C. season|2017–18]]
|League Two
|34||6||2||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||36||6
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!51!!10!!2!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!53!!10
|-
!colspan=3|Career total
!402!!70!!23!!3!!15!!8!!51!!15!!491!!96
|}
{{notelist}}

===International===
{{updated|10 August 2014.}}<ref>{{NFT player|id=49361|name=Shola Ameobi}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
! colspan=3|[[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]]
|-
! Year !! Apps !! Goals
|-
| 2012 || 1 || 0
|-
| 2013 || 4 || 2
|-
| 2014 || 5 || 0
|-
! Total !! 10 !! 2
|}

==Honours==
'''Newcastle United'''
*[[EFL Championship]]: [[2009–10 Football League Championship|2009–10]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/apr/20/newcastle-united-championship-title|title=Chris Hughton praises team and fans as Newcastle United clinch title|agency=Press Association|date=20 April 2010|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20100504/nufc-season-stats-200910_2281670_2043385|title=Newcastle United – News – Latest News – Latest News – NUFC Season Stats – 2009/10|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304032055/http://www.nufc.co.uk/articles/20100504/nufc-season-stats-200910_2281670_2043385|archive-date=4 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
*[[UEFA Intertoto Cup]]: [[2006 UEFA Intertoto Cup|2006]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.givemesport.com/383216-intertoto-cup-winners-2006-where-are-they-now|title=Intertoto Cup Winners 2006: Where are they now?|access-date=12 July 2014|publisher=givemesport.com|archive-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714123853/http://www.givemesport.com/383216-intertoto-cup-winners-2006-where-are-they-now|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Stoke City:

Championship/ Second Division
 Runners-Up 2008-2009
'''Individual'''
*[[Newcastle United F.C. Reserves and Academy#'Wor Jackie' Award|'Wor Jackie' Award]]: [[2000–01 Newcastle United F.C. season|2000–01]]<ref name="ChronicleLive">{{cite web |title=Shola rises to the occasion |url=https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/other-sport/shola-rises-to-the-occasion-1679030 |website=Chronicle Live |date=28 February 2001 |publisher=Trinity Mirror North East |access-date=23 April 2019}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{Soccerbase}}

{{Newcastle United F.C. Hall of Fame}}
{{Nigeria squad 2014 FIFA World Cup}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ameobi, Shola}}
[[Category:1981 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Zaria]]
[[Category:Footballers from Kaduna State]]
[[Category:Nigerian men's footballers]]
[[Category:Nigeria men's international footballers]]
[[Category:English men's footballers]]
[[Category:England men's under-21 international footballers]]
[[Category:Black British sportsmen]]
[[Category:English people of Nigerian descent]]
[[Category:Sportspeople of Nigerian descent]]
[[Category:Naturalised citizens of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Men's association football forwards]]
[[Category:Newcastle United F.C. players]]
[[Category:Stoke City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Gaziantep F.K. footballers]]
[[Category:Crystal Palace F.C. players]]
[[Category:Bolton Wanderers F.C. players]]
[[Category:Fleetwood Town F.C. players]]
[[Category:Notts County F.C. players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:Nigerian emigrants to the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:2014 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:English expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Nigerian expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Turkey]]
[[Category:Nigerian expatriate sportspeople in Turkey]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Turkey]]
[[Category:Nigerian Christians]]
[[Category:English Christians]]
[[Category:Ameobi family|Shola]]
[[Category:21st-century English sportsmen]]
[[Category:21st-century Nigerian sportsmen]]