Vurnon Anita and Sammy Ameobi released by Newcastle
Friday 9 June 2017 18:10, UK
Newcastle have released Vurnon Anita and Sammy Ameobi ahead of their return to the Premier League.
Midfielder Anita joined Newcastle from Ajax in the summer of 2012 and made 27 appearances last season as the Magpies won the Sky Bet Championship.
Winger Ameobi, a graduate of the Newcastle academy, featured only four times under manager Rafa Benitez last season having spent the first half of the campaign on loan at League One Bolton.
Defender Lubo Satka and midfielder Haris Vuckic have also been released by Newcastle.
Benitez told the club website: "I wish to give sincere thanks to all those players who we have made the difficult decision to release this summer.
"In particular to Vurnon Anita, who has served Newcastle United magnificently over the last five years. Vurnon is an outstanding team player, always working for the team and willing to step into whatever position he was needed to fill.
"He is an excellent professional and I thank him for every contribution he has made over the years, particularly in my time as manager.
"Thanks also to Sammy Ameobi, who came back in January and made a contribution to the second half of the season. He was always so positive and did everything he could to help the team achieve success."
However, Newcastle have opened talks with French forward Yoan Gouffran over a new contract.
The 31-year-old, who scored seven goals in 45 appearances last season, has entered the final weeks of his present deal, but Benitez has expressed a desire to keep him at St James' Park.
The Spaniard added: "Yoan Gouffran has been an equally committed and dedicated team player for this club, as well as a hugely popular member of the squad.
"I can confirm we are in early stage discussions now with Yoan's agent to see if there might be a solution that could work for both the player and the club which may see Yoan extend his service to Newcastle United, but we will know more in the coming days."
Winger Florian Thauvin has completed a permanent move to Marseille following a season-long loan at the Orange Velodrome.
