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Former Newcastle United striker Demba Ba is taking his first step into football ownership in the USA - and admits he could finish his career across the Atlantic.

The Shanghai Shenhua forward - who reportedly earns £5.25million a year in China - is the majority owner of the North American Soccer League (NASL) expansion team who are due to begin playing in San Diego next spring.

But the 32-year-old Senegal international also has a string of illustrious investors alongside him - who he refers to as “very close friends” - including Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, Al-Ahli’s Moussa Sow and former Newcastle team-mate Yohan Cabaye.

(Image: AFP)

Interestingly, Ba has also suggested he could one day look to play in the NASL for his as-of-yet unnamed club after finishing his stint in China.

But he is looking to create a side consisting predominantly of American players, alongside some experienced foreign professionals, though part of the club’s long-term vision is to eventually bring through youngsters of their own.

He also hopes to establish a team who “play offensive football” because “Eden is an entertainer, Moussa is an attacker, Cabaye is a creator” - and they’d “rather tie 4-4 than 0-0”.

In a Q&A with The San Diego Tribune, Ba explained of his decision to set up a franchise there: “Last November was my first time in San Diego. I fell in love with the city, with the atmosphere and brightness of the city.

“There is something different here, something peaceful. And I could easily see myself living here.

“NASL was the right league for us because of the way they manage it. In this league you can create your identity. It allows you build something.

“I’m not saying that other systems aren’t good. I’m not as familiar with the others.

“But in this league, you own the rights of your players and if you want to keep him, no one can say he’s gone.

“You develop the player, and whatever comes from that is yours. You deserve it.

“(How I chose the owners was) first, they have strong and good values. Second, they are very close friends. Third, they are very excited about the project. So they just say: ‘OK, we’ll follow you.’”

Asked if he would consider playing for his own team after the final year of his contract in China expires, Ba replied: “Why not? In June 2018, I can play anywhere I want. It’s a possibility.

“I have put this club in this city because I believe in it. And if I believe in something, why not?”

The NASL is one of two divisions directly below Major League Soccer (MLS) in the USA and the formal awarding of the expansion team to Ba and his team in Southern California has been confirmed as of Monday (26th June), following the announcement of an Orange County franchise last month.

Ba has ambitious plans for the franchise - who will originally play their matches at the University of San Diego’s Torero Stadium, but plans are in place for a privately-financed 10,000-capacity stadium to be built.

Eventually, the club are likely to bid to become a MLS franchise - former USA international Landon Donovan has encouraged such a move - but the San Diego city council have delayed such a bid until November 2018 at the earliest.

Ba has huge ambitions for his San Diego franchise in the NASL though, insisting he has had ideas about how to run a football club throughout his career but has waited for the opportunity to do so.

“At the end of the day, I have a lot of ideas,” Ba added.

“I cannot give them to clubs I play for because they have their own ideas – their own sporting directors, their own general managers – of what they want to do.

“When you have your own ideas, the only way you can execute them is to get a club yourself.”

Yohan Cabaye added: " “It’s unbelievable to be part of this project, and I just want to do my best for the club and for San Diego."