The A League down under in Australia is a growing football league, and they are keen to get players from top leagues like the Premier League, and news today that Sydney FC are keen to sign 32 year-old Shola Ameobi, who becomes a free agent on July 1st.
Shola Ameobi in action at Liverpool
That was Shola’s final game for Newcastle United
And with Shola part of the Nigerian 23 man squad for the World Cup, which was announced late last night, that should help him get a new club this summer.
The Journal is reporting today that Sydney FC are already in contact with Shola’s agent about a move, and they say he’s a possible replacement for former Italian International Alessandro Del Piero, who is thinking of joining the MLS here in the USA.
Del Piero is now a free agent after playing two seasons for Sydney FC, and he was the captain last season.
It would be interesting if the big man signs for Sydney, because we play Sydney FC on July 22 in New Zealand.
Here is Newcastle’s full pre-season:
[table “26” not found /]New York City FC, who are new members of the MLS, are also said to be interested in signing the 32 year-old striker, but they don’t start to play in the MLS until next year in 2105 – the franchise is owned jointly by Manchester City FC and the New York Yankees baseball team and they play in light blue strips – not surprisingly.
We think Shola will be fixed up quickly with a new club, probably on a two year deal.
What do you think?
Comments welcome.
Note: Matthew Stephenson is a life-long Newcastle fan and an avid reader of this blog – and he is participating in the Great North Run in early September, and running to raise money for Beating Bowel Cancer. Here is Matthew’s JustGiving page and please donate for a worthy cause, to help him reach his £300 goal for the Charity – many thanks.
12 comments so far
toonarmydownsouth
Jun 3, 2014 at 8:51 AM
Comment #1NY city also interested?
Be funny to see Shola and David Villa as a partnership!
Lilongwe Geordie
Jun 3, 2014 at 8:54 AM
Comment #2Shola Ameobi a replacement for Del Piero. Wow.
toonarmydownsouth
Jun 3, 2014 at 8:57 AM
Comment #3Well Lee Ryder is still pushing the story that NUFC want there business done before the start of the World Cup…..
9 days to go, nice to see us successfully form and execute a plan eh!
Lilongwe Geordie
Jun 3, 2014 at 8:59 AM
Comment #4Tads,
To be fair, it has only ever been journalists pushing that line!
toonarmydownsouth
Jun 3, 2014 at 9:04 AM
Comment #5Lilo
Lol true, mind you Pardew said he wanted business done early and that we’ve been working hard behind the scenes
No evidence of that yet!
Average_Contents
Jun 3, 2014 at 9:05 AM
Comment #6The Journal also understands talks began yesterday between Newcastle and Panathiaikos regarding the long-term future of Mehdi Abeid.
The midfielder has been superb in Greece and head coach Giannis Anastasiou is keen to keep the midfilder, with another loan deal being the most likely option.
Panathinaikos could only afford a fee of £300,000 and even then would have to sell on of their own players to facilitate a permanent deal for the Algerian, who joined Newcastle in 2011.
Alan Pardew has given no indication any of the players loaned out last season had a long-term future at the club.
Lilongwe Geordie
Jun 3, 2014 at 9:08 AM
Comment #7Tads,
Well it looks like Perez is done and dusted. How much more business do you want!!! Pards, Ashley and Charnley have to get to the yacht so they can relax while watching the World Cup.
Although, if Sydney replace Del Piero with Shola, can we replace Shola with Del Piero. Seriously, he can’t be worse than what we have!
Lilongwe Geordie
Jun 3, 2014 at 9:12 AM
Comment #8AC,
The club did however tell Abeid that he was no longer needed last summer. Along with Amalfitano.
Tads,
On the business, it isn’t our fault clubs aren’t bidding for our players yet! We can only do it as early as someone makes an offer for our players. Surely you didn’t think he meant incoming business?
toonarmydownsouth
Jun 3, 2014 at 9:14 AM
Comment #9Lilo
Of course how could i forget!!!
Glad we got a CF for the future sorted, we can all relax 🙂
Actually is that why they haven’t announced him yet?
Is he cleaning MA’s Yacht?
AC
Abied has been retweeting posts from Panathiaikos fans begging him to return
Be typical if our one successful loan gets flogged!
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Jun 3, 2014 at 9:16 AM
Comment #10Journal
Also reporting that the Mackems have not bought Mutch
AmericanMagpie
Jun 3, 2014 at 9:16 AM
Comment #11My young, growing home league is signing David Villa and Frank Lampard……not Shola Ameobi.
Brutooon
Jun 3, 2014 at 11:35 PM
Comment #12Shola ameobi is not even 5% the ability of Del Piero. Stop comparing.