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Magpies Announce Retained List
Written by Newcastle Utd
Newcastle United have announced their retained list for the 2014/15 season, with nine players leaving the Club
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Newcastle United have announced their retained list for the 2014/15 season, with nine players leaving the Club following the expiration of their contracts.
Striker Shola Ameobi will leave the the Magpies, while loan pair Loic Remy and Luuk de Jong will return to respective parent clubs Queens Park Rangers and Borussia Monchengladbach.
Midfielders Dan Gosling and Conor Newton were not offered new contracts and have since agreed to join Bournemouth and Rotherham United respectively.
Ameobi, age 32, came through the ranks on Tyneside before making his debut in September 2000. The long-serving front man went on to make 397 appearances for the Club over 14 years, scoring 79 goals in the process.
He netted seven goals against Sunderland in Tyne-Wear derby fixtures and represented United in the Champions League, famously scoring against Barcelona at the Camp Nou in December 2002.
French international striker Remy top scored for Newcastle in the 2013/14 campaign with 14 goals in just 27 games. Having arrived from Queens Park Rangers on a season-long loan last August, he instantly hit the ground running ad bagged doubles against Hull, Cardiff and Stoke.
De Jong was a January loan signing from German side Borussia Monchengladbach. The forward made 12 appearances.
Youngsters Michael Richardson, Steven Logan, Brandon Miele and Jonathan Mitchell have also been released.
Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew said: "I would like to thank each of these players for the effort, attitude and application they have put in while at the Club.
"However, I have to make a special mention of Shola Ameobi, who has been an incredible servant to Newcastle United.
"Such loyalty and commitment in the modern game is rare and Shola was not just a great player on the pitch but a key figure off it too.
"He is a leader of men, a great role model for our younger players and I wish him well for the remainder of his career."
In relation to Ameobi, Managing Director Lee Charnley added: "To stay at one club for 14 years is remarkable and something that Shola should be very proud of.
"We are lucky to have had him for his contribution both on and off the field. I would personally like to thank Shola for his commitment to the Club and wish him every success going forward."
Shola Ameobi said: "Following discussions with Newcastle United, both parties felt it was the right time for us to part company.
"I've been at Newcastle United all my career and I've enjoyed every moment and always worn the famous shirt with pride. I am now looking forward to starting a new chapter in my career.
"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.
"Finally, a big thank you to the supporters who have always been fantastic.
"I hope to come back to Newcastle United one day in some capacity to help repay some of the faith and loyalty that everybody connected to the Club has shown me during my time here."
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