Nigerian striker Shola Ameobi will leave English Premier League side Newcastle United next month, bringing to an end a 14-year association with the Tyne-wear club.

The 32 year old, likely to feature in his first World Cup next month with Nigeria, decided to call time at St. James’ Park after discussing his future with Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew.

Ameobi will become a free agent after making 397 appeearances for the Magpies and scoring 79 goals since he made his debut in 2000 under Bobby Robson.

In a statement on the Newcastle website, Ameobi said “I would like to place on record a big thank you to everyone at Newcastle United. I wish the club great success in the future and I’m sure with the team and management they have, Newcastle United will go from strength to strength.”

The older of the two Ameobi brothers at Newcastle, with Sammy set to stay, is one of nine players leaving the club soon, including strikers Löic Remy and Luuk de Jong whose loan deals will expire in June.