Senegalese / French · Dakar, Senegal · Born 25 May 1985Powerful and prolific striker whose goals for Newcastle United and Chelsea earned him a reputation as one of the Premier League's most dangerous finishers.
Demba Ba was born in Sèvres, France on 25 May 1985 to Senegalese parents. A tall, powerful striker with exceptional heading ability and excellent first touch, Ba is best remembered in England for his exploits in the Premier League. He struggled to hold down a contract early in his career, coming through Istres and Rouen before a move to Molenbeek. After spells at Hoffenheim and West Ham (initially on a free transfer), he joined Newcastle United in 2011, scoring 29 goals in 58 Premier League appearances. Chelsea signed him for £7m in January 2013, and he is immortalised at Stamford Bridge for his memorable goal against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League that temporarily levelled the tie. He played for Turkey with Besiktas and then moved to China. For Senegal he earned 28 caps and scored 8 goals.
Scoring the goal that ended Liverpool's title hopes in 2014
His instinctive finish for Chelsea against PSG in the 2014 Champions League, capitalising on a slip by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, kept Chelsea in the tie and is one of his most celebrated moments in English football.
Did You Know?How They Played
Physical striker with good finishing and aerial ability
Lasting Impact
Ba established himself as one of the most reliable African strikers in European football during the 2010s, helping raise the profile of Senegalese football internationally.
Career Honours
- Süper Lig 2016, 2017 (Besiktas)
- Süper Lig 2016
- Süper Lig 2017
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Istres | 2007–2009 | — | 52 | #9 |
| Hoffenheim | 2009–2011 | 130 | 58 | #9 |
| Newcastle United | 2011–2013 | 108 | 44 | #9 |
| Chelsea | 2013–2014 | 90 | 34 | #9 |
| Rouen | 2005–2006 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Mouscron | 2006–2007 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Besiktas | 2014–2018 | 130 | 43 | — |
| Goztepe | 2018–2019 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Istanbul Basaksehir | 2019–2021 | 0 | 0 | — |
 Senegal | — | 22 | 4 | — |
Senegalese / French Athletes