Shola Ameobi, the Newcastle United striker, has handed manager Joe Kinnear a welcome boost today by signing a three-year contract extension.
The 27-year-old, one of four men to be offered new deals last month, became the first to put pen to paper. The deal completes a remarkable turnaround for the former England Under-21 international, who spent the latter part of last season on loan at Stoke City and rejected a permanent move to the Britannia Stadium, prompting enquiries from Ipswich Town and Norwich City.
"I'm delighted to sign a new deal and commit my future to Newcastle," Ameobi said. "I hadn't played for a while and had to prove myself again. Thankfully I believe I did that. Now I can look forward to playing a lot more games for Newcastle, which didn't look likely a few months ago.
"I believe I can do that and now my future is in order I can focus on getting it right on the pitch. I am confident I can do it and the club are also, which they have shown by their faith with the contract.
"Now it's down to me to prove that."
Kinnear will now hope for similar responses from Nicky Butt and Steve Harper, although he will have to wait until the end of the season for a decision from Michael Owen.
Ameobi, who was brought up on Tyneside from the age of five, emerged from the ranks at St James' Park under Sir Bobby Robson, making his senior debut as a substitute against Chelsea in September 2000.
He has made 244 appearances for the club, 100 of them as a substitute, and scored 49 goals.
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