Former Newcastle United and Cardiff City striker Sammy Ameobi has been charged in court after being involved in a hit-and-run accident, leaving a teenage girl injured.
Ameobi, 32, began his career in the Newcastle United Academy before making his senior debut in 2011.
That same year, he trained with the Nigeria U-20 squad ahead of the 2011 African Youth Championship and later featured against Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
Despite playing for the England U-21 team, he later expressed a desire to represent Nigeria’s Super Eagles, but a senior call-up never materialized.
Ameobi reportedly collided with a 19-year-old female driver, causing significant damage to her car, before fleeing the scene, leaving her injured and in need of hospitalization.
Sammy Ameobi while playing for Middlesbrough. ( Photo by Getty images)
The victim’s injuries remain undisclosed, but her car was written off following the incident.
Ameobi, who has earned £6.4 million over the course of his football career, now works as an apprentice earning just £360 per week—far below his former salary as a professional player.
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The victim’s mother launched a public appeal, urging anyone with information to come forward, including details about the car’s registration number.
This led to the police using CCTV footage to track down Ameobi. In her appeal, the mother emphasized the need for Ameobi to “take accountability for his actions.”
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At Chester Magistrates’ Court, Ameobi pleaded guilty to failing to stop after an accident and driving without insurance.
He was fined £240, plus £181 in costs and victim surcharge, and his driving license was endorsed with six penalty points.
Speaking about the incident, Ameobi admitted his actions were wrong and out of character, explaining, “I panicked at that moment… I’m not trying to make excuses for it.”
Ameobi’s wife and son had been at the hospital the night before the crash after their son had a medical emergency, which Ameobi said contributed to his stress and poor decision-making.
Ameobi’s last club was Middlesbrough, where he signed in 2021. However, he struggled with injuries and was released after one season, having barely featured for the team.