Newcastle fans have taken to Twitter to wish former striker and cult hero Shola Ameobi a happy birthday.
The former-Nigerian international, who has been capped 10 times by his country, turns 36 years old today.
Now of League 2 side Notts County (and managed by his former team-mate Kevin Nolan), Ameobi came through the academy sides at St James Park, and went on to make only three shy of 400 appearances for the club in 14 seasons with the Magpies.
Not the club’s most prolific ever scorer, Ameobi scored 79 times in those 397 games, however he did provide some memorable moments over the years including a terrific solo display and goal against Barcelona in the Champions League during the 2002/03 season.
The striker also was an integral part of the Championship winning side of 2009/10 which saw Newcastle bounce straight back to the top flight following their improbable relegation the season previous.
A Newcastle hero, Happy Birthday, Shola! Or should we say, Happy Shola Ameobi Day, Newcastle fans!
Happy birthday Shola Ameobi xoxoxox
— Andrew Webber (@AWebber1991) October 12, 2017
https://twitter.com/NewcastleGold/status/918451956154294273
https://twitter.com/Team_NigeriaUK/status/918454667306323968
https://twitter.com/SquashyNUFC/status/918434821835251712
A very happy birthday to Shola Ameobi, who is 36 today! ?????? #NUFC pic.twitter.com/h16MFySkbH https://t.co/bE5B1TDzBM
— TFS Newcastle United (@TFS_Newcastle) October 12, 2017
Happy Birthday to Newcastle fan-favourite Shola Ameobi! pic.twitter.com/N4JXRUHe18
— Colossus Bets (@ColossusBets) October 12, 2017
https://twitter.com/NigeriaStat/status/918391424873361409
Happy Shola Ameobi Day one and all. Still the greatest photo of all time, don’t @me pic.twitter.com/PxcTnSsLMQ
— Chris (@H93Chris) October 12, 2017
