Chelsea confirm Demba Ba a Blue

Chelsea today confirmed the Signing of Demba Ba from Newcastle United for an undisclosed fee.

Ba signed a three and a half year deal at the club, and is expected to make his debut in Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Southampton at St Marys.

The only competition the Senegalese international will be cup-tied for is the Europa League, having participated in this seasons competition for the Magpies.

The new signing said: ‘It feels good to be here, I’m very happy and very proud.

‘It was important for me, and for Newcastle, to get my future sorted and now we can move on. Now they have the whole month to buy someone and for me as well, the sooner the better. 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.’

The French-born forward signed for Newcastle from West Ham, who had been relegated, triggering a clause in his contract which allowed him to leave on a free-transfer.

Demba Ba is currently joint-second top goalscorer in the Premier League this season, with 13 goals so far, 3 less than Robin Van Persie who is leading the way.

Newcastle will be left with Papiss Cisse and Shola Ameobi as the only senior strikers should Ba agree terms successfully, and are actively seeking his replacement. Loic Remy is currently favourite to replace him.

Ba’s last game for the Magpies was against Arsenal, a 7-3 loss, in which he scored two equalising goals, his 12th and 13th Premier League goals so far this term.

Chelsea’s first ever Senegalese player is expected to challenge Fernando Torres for the sole-striker position, as well as being used out wide to assist the Spaniard. The Blues are becoming increasingly frustrated at Torres’ lack of consistency and are expected to off-load the striker in the summer should he not improve under Benitez. Who do you think will get more goals per game from now until July? I know who my money would be on…