A famously failed medical at Stoke and a pay as you play contract that ended in him triggering a release clause at relegated West Ham all ended working in Newcastle United's favour, as after joining the club the Senegalese striker proved a huge hit with the Geordie masses. 20 League goals in just 54 games tells it's own story for the fans favourite. And whilst a partnership with Papiss Cisse presented some challenges with Ba moving out to a wider position in the front line, there were more ups than downs. And but for a £8m release clause that was publicly advertised by rival managers Ba may not have left for Chelsea on 4th Jan 2013. And who knows what might have been. Ba played 19 times for Senegal and had number of season bouncing between the Chinese and Turkish leagues in his latter career.