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Since leaving Newcastle United…Obafemi Martins

By Carson A Merk

NEWCASTLE, UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 03: Obafemi Martins of Newcastle United in action during the Barclays Premiership match between Newcastle United and Middlesbrough at St James Park on March 3, 2007 in Newcastle, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE, UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 03: Obafemi Martins of Newcastle United in action during the Barclays Premiership match between Newcastle United and Middlesbrough at St James Park on March 3, 2007 in Newcastle, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images) /
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Beginning a series of checking in on former Newcastle United players, we see what Obafemi Martins has been up to since leaving Tyneside.

As we enter the offseason, we will take a trip down memory lane to look at how some of your favorite former Newcastle United players are doing in 2018. Our first former Magpies is striker Obafemi Martins.

Newcastle United career: Arrived on transfer from Inter Milan (15 million), 2006-2009, 104 appearances, 35 goals, seven assists, led the Toon in goals in his first season with the club.

Soccer stops since leaving NUFC: VfL Wolfsburg, Rubin Kazan, Birmingham City (loan), Levante, Seattle Sounders FC, Shanghai Shenhua

Fun Facts

-He is married to Italian star Mario Balotelli’s sister, Abigail Barwuah.

-Known for his acrobatic, backflip goal celebrations.

-Over 40 appearances with the Nigerian national team, tallying 14 goals.

-Had two brothers, Oladipupo and Innsbruck, that played professional soccer

Where is he now? (33 years old)

Obafemi Martins is currently signed in China with Shanghai Shenhua. Unfortunately, I said signed for a reason because he isn’t playing at this time. Last month, he was diagnosed with a torn hamstring and will be out of action for a large chunk of the next year. He was competing for a spot with Nigeria’s World Cup squad, but the injury secured his fate.

Before arriving in China, Martins shined for Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders FC. He was an MVP finalist in 2014 and was named to the league’s best XI. The club reached the conference semifinals in his final year in Seattle.

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