The Senegalese striker leaves following a season-and-a-half spell with the Blues, having moved to Stamford Bridge from Newcastle United in January 2013.

He made a memorable debut in an FA Cup third-round tie at Southampton, the Blues running out 5-1 winners on the day after coming from behind, with Ba’s performance the catalyst. He drew us level shortly before half-time and, after Victor Moses and Branislav Ivanovic had put us in control, made it 4-1 in the second half when he finished well at the near post from an Eden Hazard cross.

Ba was ineligible to play in our Europa League campaign having already represented Newcastle earlier in the competition, but he featured regularly domestically and scored his first Premier League goal in a 2-2 draw against Southampton.

The highlight of his first season at the club was undoubtedly scoring the winning goal against Manchester United in an FA Cup sixth-round replay, a stunning volley.