Former
Chelsea, Newcastle United and West Ham striker Demba Ba has called time on
his 16-year playing career.
He won the Turkish Super Lig title twice in recent seasons, with Besiktas in
2016/17 and Istanbul Basaksehir in 2019/20.
Ba, who had two spells in China with Shanghai Shenhua and won 22 caps for
Senegal, was without a club after leaving Swiss side FC Lugano in August.
"It is with a heart filled with gratefulness that I announce the end of my
playing career," Ba tweeted.
"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 team mates on and off the field, this
will forever remain in my head and heart."
Ba arrived in the Premier League in 2007, signing for West Ham after joining
from TSG Hoffenheim, and the forward went on to score seven times in 13
appearances for the Hammers.
The former Senegal international then moved to Newcastle in 2011 where he
forged a formidable partnership with compatriot Papiss Cisse.
He found the net 29 times in 58 appearances at St James' Park and helped
fire the Magpies to a fifth-place finish in the Premier League during the
2011/12 campaign.
Ba scored 14 goals in all competitions at Chelsea between 2012 and 2014
before moving to Turkish football.
The 36-year-old memorably slotted home after a slip from Steven Gerrard
against Liverpool in a 2-0 win in April 2014 to help deny the Reds the
league title that season.
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