Ameobi’s punditry appearance on Saturday has given Newcastle fans a reason to smile

Newcastle have had a strange transfer window, they’ve made six signings in between protests and calls for Mike Ashley to stay as well as campaigns to stand united with Rafa Benitez. Now, though, the summer is coming to an end and their first game of the season approaches on Saturday, a 12:30 kick off at home to Tottenham, with Shola Ameobi on the punditry team.

Shola Ameobi will take up a role as a pundit on Sky's coverage of #NUFC vs Tottenham this Saturday.

— NUFC360 (@NUFC360) August 7, 2018

Ameobi spent a whopping 14 years as a senior pro with Newcastle United, coming through the club’s academy in 2000 and leaving for — in summer 2014. During his very long career at St James Park, Ameobi racked up 388 appearances and scored 72 goals. The Nigerian’s ability to be deployed as a central striker or on either flank made him a very attractive option at the club.

Ameobi is yet to officially hang up his boots after leaving Notts County at the end of last season. The 36-year-old will likely only have one more season left in him if does opt to carry on playing and if Saturday’s appearance on Sky Sports all goes well then he could find himself being a more permanent addition to the punditry team, giving him a good reason to retire from his very impressive, lengthy playing career.

You can read The Magpies’ verdict on the Ameobi news here: