Demba Ba retires from professional football

Former Chelsea and Newcastle striker Demba Ba has retired from club football. The player took to Twitter to announce the end of his professional career, spanning 16 years after making his debut with French club Rouen. 

Ba made the move to England in 2011 to join West Ham United from Bundesliga club Hoffenheim. The player spent six months in London before moving to Newcastle on a free transfer. One-and-a-half years later, he joined Chelsea and spent the same duration with the Blues. 

He is most fondly remembered for capitalising on Steven Gerrard’s slip at Liverpool and winning the game for Chelsea to deny them the Premier League title. Ba then moved to Besiktas and also had spells in China before moving to Lugano and subsequently hanging up his boots. 

Here is what the player had to say to the fans about ending his professional career: 

“It is with a heart filled with gratefulness that I announce the end of my playing career.

“What a wonderful journey it has been. Beside all the sweat and tears I have faced, football has given me so many beautiful emotions. From the passion of the fans and the noise coming from the stands after every goal to the connection with my teammates on and off the field, this will forever remain in my head and heart.

“I wanna thank everyone I’ve crossed paths with and helped me grow, every club and manager for given me an opportunity, the fans for their tremendous support and my family and friends for their unconditional love.

“From the bottom of my heart THANK YOU. Praise be to the almighty.”