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Demba Ba: Chelsea confirm capture of Newcastle striker
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.
Demba Ba in focus
- Born in Paris suburb of Sevres
- One of eight children
- Previous clubs: Rouen, Mouscron, Hoffenheim, West Ham, Newcastle United
- Scored seven goals in only 12 Premier League starts for West Ham
- Scored 17 goals in his first season at Newcastle
- Already has 13 league goals so far this term, almost half of Newcastle's entire tally
"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.
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Comment number 306.
hjlb5th January 2013 - 3:16
newcastle will now be relegated
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Comment number 305.
Shelas5th January 2013 - 0:51
Ba is a proven goal scorer better than Torres but Drobga was not suppose to be released on the first place,i wonder what will happen in next summer transfer window because surely Chelsea should let go Torres and bring in a good striker Falcao,Cavani or someone else top striker and Chelsea will challenge for the league again.
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Comment number 304.
RichardCrimp4th January 2013 - 23:53
Hopefully FT will be rested a lot more now as Ba can do just as good a job up front (some may argue better!) and maybe, just maybe... FT will improve once again, as he's definitely better than last season's performances.
@301 - Yes we need another CF but is it not best to wait until the summer? We'd be short in the EL if FT becomes injured, Piazon isn't ready, but a 'marquee' CF in the summer?
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Comment number 303.
bilbo4th January 2013 - 23:25
@274 Don't forget Raul Mereiles to Chelsea as well. I think he lasted a year there?
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Comment number 302.
Chelsea14th January 2013 - 22:17
Let's hope Rafa is smart enough to keep with Ba instead of Torres. Hopefully Torres can rediscover some form by training with Ba as well as watching Ba play.
With the supply from midfield And his eye for goal, Ba will set records soon.
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