Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi has signed a three-year contract extension.
The 27-year-old, one of four men to be offered new deals last month, became the first to put pen to paper.
It completes a remarkable turnaround for the former England Under-21 international, who spent the latter part of last season on loan at Stoke City and rejected a permanent move to the Britannia Stadium, prompting enquiries from Ipswich Town and Norwich City.
Ameobi, whose stay on Tyneside will now extend until the summer of 2012, said: "I'm delighted to sign a new deal and commit my future to Newcastle United."
similar responses
Kinnear will now hope for similar responses from key midfielder Nicky Butt and goalkeeper Steve Harper, who also received offers in December, although he will have to wait until the end of the season for a decision from Michael Owen.
Nigeria-born Ameobi, who was brought up on Tyneside from the age of five, emerged from the ranks at St James' Park under Sir Bobby Robson, making his senior debut as a substitute against Chelsea in September 2000.
He has 244 appearances to his name, 100 of them as a substitute, and is one short of 50 goals for the club.
