Chelsea Transfer News: Demba Ba Officially Signs, Will Wear Number 29 Shirt

Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Senegalese striker Demba Ba from Newcastle United for an undisclosed fee, according to teamtalk. Chelsea triggered the £7.5 million buy-out-clause in the forwards contract at St James' Park, with rumours suggesting that figure could go up to a potential £12.5 million after the players' agent fees were taken into account. The 27-year old has put pen to paper on a three-and-a-half year contract at Stamford Bridge after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical, and will wear the number 29 shirt. Ba will be available for selection for manager Rafa Benitez for his new sides' trip to Southampton in the FA Cup this weekend and cited that Chelsea's Champions League win last summer factored into his decision to leave Newcastle. He told Chelsea's official website:

"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. "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."

Ba is the joint-third highest goalscorer in the Premier league so far this season with 13 goals so far. He was Newcastle's top goalscorer last season after leaving relegated West Ham, and made almost 60 appearances for the Magpies. His move to the current European Champions completes a dramatic reversal of fortunes for his career. He emeged from the lower reaches of French football having played for obscure third division side Rouen before moving to Mouscron in the Belgian top flight. He then moved to German side Hoffenheim, and was later linked with moves to Stuttgart and Stoke City in 2011, but failed a medical with both sides which almost derailed his career.