PLAYER PROFILE

Shola Ameobi

Position: Forward

Height: 6'3

Weight: 12st 3lbs

Date of Birth: 1981-10-12 Zaria, Nigeria

Shola Ameobi

Shola's rise to prominence at Newcastle United took place in a far shorter time than was planned due to injuries to key strikers Carl Cort and Alan Shearer. Despite his introduction to the first team, Ameobi has been tipped as a major star of the future by his manager Bobby Robson.

The teenager was born in Zaria, Nigeria but he was brought up in Newcastle. A tall, imposing figure, his gangling style at first made him appear slightly ungainly but when he times his runs, the striker's shooting and heading ability are impressive.

He scored twice in 12 appearances for Newcastle in his first season but two more goals in the Intertoto Cup at the start of the 2001/2002 season.

The progress made by Ameobi in his first season in the top flight was made clear to his club when the Nigerian FA contacted the player to invite him to play in a competitive game for the under-21 side for his country of origin. As he had only been in the England under-21 side for friendly, he was still eligible to become a full international but a substitute appearance for England against Greece in a defeat in Athens ensured that he avoided a future acquaintance with jet lag by opting to go for an international career England rather than with the Super Eagles.

He was ever present in the side during the 2003/04 season, netting ten goals for Newcastle United. He failed to break into the senior England squad in time for Euro 2004.

The 2004/05 season saw him continue to be an important first-team player for the Magpies. He made 45 appearances and scored 7 goals, adding a further nine goals in 33 games in 05/06.

Surgery on a hip problem kept him out for much of the 2006/07 season and although he recovered in time for the 2007/08 campaign, he struggled to get into the Magpies team and was loaned out to Stoke.