Nigeria international striker Shola Ameobi has joined Turkish second division side Gaziantep Buyukeshir Belediyespor.
The 32-year-old Nigerian has signed a one-year contract with Gaziantep, which finished in 14th place in the TFF First League last season.
Ameobi was released by Newcastle, where he started his footballing career and had been a first team player for 14 years, last season.
The club’s statement on its 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 was instrumental in Newcastle’s promotion back from the Championship in 2010, scoring 11 goals in 21 matches. He scored nine goals in 30 matches in the 2005/06 Premier League season- his best run in the English top division.
A St. James’ Park veteran, whose career at Tyneside was plaqued by injury but still went on to score 53 goals in 312 appearances.
He was named in Nigeria’s 23-man World Cup squad this summer and made two substitute appearances in Brazil.
