Newcastle have handed a four-year contract to teenage striker Shola Ameobi after he impressed on his Premiership debut against Chelsea.

The 18-year-old has risen through the ranks at St James' Park after joining the club's youth academy from the local Walker Central boys club.

He played 20 minutes of the goalless draw against the Gianluca Vialli's Blues last weekend after coming on as a substitute for Kevin Gallacher.

Manager Bobby Robson said: "It's lovely that we have these youngsters who we can give a chance to.

"Shola has come to us from the academy, and I would think this will delight coach Alan Irvine because it shows the academy working."