A former Newcastle United star has landed a key new role in French football.
Former Newcastle United and Chelsea striker Demba Ba has landed a key new role with a Ligue 1 club.
The former Senegal international joined the Magpies on a free transfer following his departure from West Ham United during the summer of 2011 and went on to help United qualify for the Europa League during what would become his first and only full season on Tyneside. Ba netted 16 goals in 34 appearances during the campaign and that tally included hat-tricks in wins against Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers as he played an integral role in helping Alan Pardew’s side secure a fifth placed finish in the Premier League.
A further 13 goals in 20 league appearances during the first half of the following season triggered interest from Premier League rivals Chelsea and Ba made a move to Stamford Bridge in January 2013 when the Blues met a reported £7m release clause in his contract. Ba went on to play for the likes of Turkish giants Besiktas, Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua and Swiss outfit FC Lugano before confirming his retirement in 2021.
Ba has held a role as sporting director at French second tier side Dunkerque in recent seasons and helped Les Maritimes reach the last four of the Coupe de France during the 2024/25 season as they saw off the likes of Auxerre, Lille and Brest before losing to Paris Saint-Germain. Promotion into Ligue 1 remained out of reach thanks to a play-off defeat against Metz and that was followed up by a mid-table finish last season. However, Ba will make the step into the top flight of French football after securing a move to Ligue 1 club Le Havre.
Statement
Demba Ba of Chelsea gives instructions during the FA Cup Third Round match between Southampton (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)placeholder image
Demba Ba of Chelsea gives instructions during the FA Cup Third Round match between Southampton (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) | Getty Images
A club statement read: “Even if he never wore the sky and marine colours as a player, he skimmed the local fields, starting football at ES Mont-Gaillard, also passing through ASPAH and SC Frileuse, also integrating the football academy of Saint-Valéry-en-Caux. Demba Ba is first of all a prolific striker, Senegalese international revealed in Hoffenheim, Germany, confirmed in England, at West Ham, Newcastle, Chelsea, club with which he discovers the Champions League. His career continued in Turkey and China, before retraining as sports director.
“Where is that? In Dunkerque, in Ligue 2. And after scoring goals, Demba Ba marks the spirits! He landed in the North in the summer of 2023, quickly made big decisions, in particular pointing Luis Castro as coach and allowing the team, promoted and first of all badly started, to get his maintenance in 16th place (out of 20). The second season sees the USLD play the play-offs after a brilliant 4th place and a semi-final of the Coupe de France! A few weeks ago, Dunkerque closed the 2025-2026 season in 10th place. With this experience, with a spirit of builder, Demba Ba joins the HAC. To continue to grow the club and allow it to continue to continue in Ligue 1! Welcome, Demba!”
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