Demba Ba completes £7.5m transfer to Chelsea

Senegalese striker leaves Newcastle after European champions triggered release clause

Chelsea have completed the signing of Demba Ba from Newcastle for a fee of £7.5m.

The Senegal international joins on a three-and-a-half-year contract and will wear the number 29 shirt.

Chelsea triggered a release clause in the striker's contract earlier this week and the club have been in talks with Ba since. The 27-year-old will now be available for the Blues FA Cup tie against Southampton this weekend.

Speculation about Ba's future circulated soon after he joined the Magpies 18-months ago after details his release clause were revealed. His 16 goals last term and 13 so far this season have only fuelled the rumours.

Newcastle had attempted to tie Ba down to a new deal however they were unable to do so and Chelsea stepped in.

The striker told Chelsea's official website: "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."

Chelsea will be delighted to have completed the deal having allowed Daniel Sturridge to leave for Liverpool earlier this week.

That left them with just Fernando Torres as a recognised striker but the arrival of Ba will provide much needed support and back-up to their £50m man.