'A real privilege' - Shola Ameobi lands surprise new role at Newcastle United

Shola Ameobi has described his appointment as Newcastle United’s new Head of Corporate Affairs as ‘a real privilege’.

The former Magpies striker made almost 400 appearances for his boyhood club during his playing career and returned to the St James Park setup in 2019 when he was appointed as the club’s first ever Loans Coordinator. After spending almost seven years in that role, Ameobi will now revert to his new position that United say will see him ‘work closely with senior leadership’ within the club hierarchy and will allow the former Nigeria international to engage with civic leaders, regulatory bodies, commercial partners and former players.

Ameobi will continue in his role as a patron of the Newcastle United Foundation and he is keen to continue ensuring the club continues to make ‘a positive difference’ to lives in the city with his new role.

He told the club’s official website: “Newcastle United has been part of my life for more than thirty years. From fulfilling my dream of playing professional football to serving in various roles since retiring, I feel incredibly fortunate to have experienced so many sides of this special club. Becoming Head of Corporate Affairs is a real privilege and it’s the next natural step in my journey. The role enables me to bring together everything I've learned on and off the pitch, and channel it into supporting the club's growth and long-term ambitions.

“I know first-hand how powerful Newcastle United is in uniting communities and making a positive difference. I look forward to building strong relationships across our region and working with colleagues and key stakeholders to strengthen that impact. I want to thank everyone at the club for their trust in me. This club has given so much to me and my family, and I'm deeply passionate about continuing to give something back.”

United’s director of media and communications Lee Marshall believes Ameobi’s passion for Newcastle as a city and a club and his exploits on and off the pitch at St James Park will give him a ‘unique perspective’ as he embarks on his new role.

He said: “Shola is an outstanding fit for this new role. His contribution on the pitch is already well known, having made almost 400 appearances for the club, but his journey since retiring is just as impressive. Having been through the Premier League Executive Pathway Scheme and completed a master's in strategic leadership, Shola has spent recent years quietly building his executive skillset.

“As a proud patron of the Newcastle United Foundation, he has also gained vital experience of working alongside key regional partners while championing our extensive work in the community. That combination of genuine passion for the club and the city, his on-pitch journey, and real off-pitch development gives him a unique perspective as he drives our corporate affairs programme. He is a natural communicator and relationship builder, and that will be invaluable as we strengthen ties with key stakeholders and work towards our ambitious long-term vision."

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