Through a press release, Londoners Crystal Palace have announced the hiring of Nigeria international Shola Ameobi.<br /><br />The former Newcastle striker has penned a five - month contract with the Selhurst Park - outfit, which will keep him with the club until the end of this season. <br /><br />In his first works after completing the transfer, Ameobi told cpfc.co.uk : &ldquo;I&rsquo;m very excited to be here, I wanted to get back in the Premier League and having worked with the manager before it&rsquo;s been great to come back and hopefully help us avoid the relegation battle. &rdquo;<br /><br />Shola Ameobi spent the first half of this season at Turkish First League club Gaziantep, but left as a free agent after mutually terminating his contract in December.<br /><br />For the remainder of this season, the 33 - year - old will wear the number 23 kit.<br /><br />Photo Credit : Gaziantep Buyuksehir Belediyespor <br />