End of the road for "the one that got away"
- by Staff Writer
- Tuesday, 14th September 2021
Former West Ham United striker Demba Ba has announced his retirement from football at the age of 36.
A Senegal international, Ba spent half a season at West Ham in 2011 but failed to prevent West Ham United from being relegated to the Championship despite scoring seven goals in just 13 appearances (11 starts and two as substitute)."What a wonderful journey it has been," Ba posted on Twitter. "Football has given me so many beautiful emotions."
Signed on loan from Hoffenheim in January, Ba moved to West Ham a fortnight after a planned transfer to Stoke City fell through as a result of a failed medical - the second signing by Avram Grant in that transfer window following the arrival of Wayne Bridge from Manchester City.
"I was eager to join West Ham and meet my new teammates," he stated upon his arrival in east London. "I'd like to thank Hoffenheim for allowing me to join that team. I thank my family and all my fans for their support."
However he was to leave the club following West Ham's relegation, joining Newcastle United on a permanent deal in June 2011 - despite being offered £50,000-per-week to remain with the Hammers in the second tier.
Viewed by many fans as "the one that got away", Ba later represented Chelsea, Besiktas, Goztepe, Baseksehir and Lugano before calling time on an eventful career this week.
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