STARS IN ASIA - SENEGAL - CLUB - Demba Ba poised to join Shanghai Shenhua
Senegal international striker Demba Ba is on the verge of joining Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua from Turkish side Besiktas for an undisclosed fee.
The 30-year-old will undergo a medical on Sunday before signing a contract, the club confirmed.
He was linked with a move back to the Premier League, but has instead opted for a switch to the Far East.
The former Newcastle and Chelsea striker scored a remarkable 27 goals in 44 games for Besiktas last season.
It was enough to convince Shanghai Shenhua to splash a fee thought to be around $15.7 million and $6.7 million in annual salary, according to the Turkish media.
The Teranga Lion started his career in France with Rouen in 2005 and spent a season in Belgium with Mouscron before a successful four-year spell at German side Hoffenheim led to a switch to West Ham in January 2011.
He joined Newcastle on a free transfer that summer scoring 16 goals in 34 appearances in the 2011/12 season, helping the club to qualify for the Europa League.
Ba scored 29 goals in 57 appearances for the Magpies before joining Chelsea in January 2013 on a three-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee.
He only started 23 of his 51 appearances for the Blues, scoring 14 goals, as he found himself third choice behind Samuel Eto'o and Fernando Torres.
In his quest for regular football he joined Turkish Super Lig outfit Besiktas in July 2014.
Meanwhile, the Chinese club signed Mali midfielder Mohamed Sissoko last week on a free transfer.
The 30-year-old former Liverpool, Juventus and PSG star played at Spanish side Levante last season.
"I've signed for Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua, it's a new beginning, the fight continues," Sissoko announced on Twitter.
China
Senegal