Demba Ba: Chelsea confirm capture of Newcastle striker
Last updated on .From the section Football
Chelsea have signed striker Demba Ba from Newcastle on a three-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee.
It is believed Ba's contract with the St James' Park club contained a clause allowing him to speak to other clubs in the event of a £7m bid.
"It feels good to be here, I'm very happy and very proud," the 27-year-old told the Chelsea club website.
"It was important for me, and for Newcastle, to get my future sorted and now we can move on."
The Senegal striker added: "Now they have the whole month to buy someone. Now I am here I just need to get settled in.
"When the club who won the Champions League wants you, the decision is very easy. This club is massive and that's something that helped the decision a lot. It was not a hard one."
Ba, who moved to Newcastle from West Ham in June 2011, replaces Daniel Sturridge, who left Stamford Bridge to join Liverpool this week.
The new signing will be eligible for selection for Saturday's FA Cup match at Southampton and the Capital One Cup semi-final against Swansea, but is not available for Chelsea's Europa League campaign, having appeared in the competition for the Magpies.
Ba has scored 13 league goals for the Magpies this season. His arrival will help alleviate the burden upon £50m frontman Fernando Torres.
The 28-year-old Spaniard has scored 14 goals this season, although just seven have come in the league.
Comments
Join the conversation
Spot on.
Ba was a risky buy for us in the first place, we didn't expect him to do so well, otherwise any buy-out clause would have been considerably higher. We should be pleased for his surprising success, not complaining that in the end he is worth more than we anticipated.
Ba is a normal human being, I respect that he wants more money and success (we all do) and thank him for his services.
Chelsea need cover so they've bought Ba (who's decent not great) to sit on the bench to cover for Torres. Because of this, his form suffers and he plays few games. A new manger comes in at the end of the season and sells Ba because Ba isn't quite good enough for a top 4 club. Ba moves back to West Ham.
@4 - Not a fan of world football then?
Torres needed help.
I guess Falcao and Higuain are off then.
Slightly off topic but the whole Lampard thing is a disgrace. As said earlier today, if Lampard was at Utd, he would have had a statue built after him. At Chelsea = ungratefulness.
,
Can't help thinking Chelsea are trying to replicate Drogba with an inferior player tho...
That is, without doubt, the funniest comment I have read on the bbc website in the last 5 years.
Well done sir!
A little tip. Try using the internet for more than just porn and trolling.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20756247
"I haven't completed a University presentation in my 5 years of doing it. I physically can't do it. "
Maybe get on with some work instead of trolling?
"Ba's decision and words tells you all you need to know about NUFC."
Err no!
Ba's decision and words tells you all you need to know about Ba.
He complained bitterly at the start of the season when he was left on the bench. I bet he doesn't complain anywhere near as much when he is getting splinters in his backside for double the money.
not so. 29 goals, a place in europe and 7m profit in 18 months. Could have been better but not bad for a free transfer...
you know this HOW?
oh, that's right, you don't have a clue!
Ba is not as good as people make out
Sure he is a good goalscorer but he's not much of a team player, wastes loads of chances, is ball gready and lacks intelligence outside of the box.
With the Chelsea midfield he is sure to find the back of the net but don't expect him to play any silky smooth football with your super talented midfielders because he isn't that player
Im in London, which is of course, the capital Europeland.