Demba Ba deal NOT in doubt! Striker signs three year deal at NUFC.

Newcastle United have confirmed the signing of Senegal international striker Demba Ba despite concerns over the players medical condition.

Manager Alan Pardew had previously cast doubt over the move by suggesting that the deal would be delayed due to some "big hurdles" with regard to the players well documented knee problems, but it seems as though it's turned out not to be a problem after all and Ba will wear the number 19 shirt next season.

Incidentally that leaves a vacancy for the No9 role, but there'll be more about that later ;)

Ba has a pretty good goalscoring record having scored 47 goals in 116 career appearances for his previous clubs Hoffenheim and West Ham. In fact at West Ham he was a rare bright spot in an otherwise dismal season for the relegated East London club as he managed to bag 7 goal in 12 appearances.

Hopefully he can transfer that form to the North-East. Alan Pardew, who has waxed lyrical ;) about Ba for a few days now, seems to think he can. Speaking to the club website Pardew had this to say:

"Demba made a great impression with West Ham last season and is a great signing for this club. He has pace, excellent technical ability, is good in the air and, it goes without saying, has the ability to consistently find the back of the net. Moreover he has a great passion to play for Newcastle United."

There are those words again; "passion to play for Newcastle United". It's something that the other new boy, Yohan Cabaye, also seems to possess and it appears to be something that we are looking for if you believe press reports detailing how disappointed NUFC supposedly were when we met Gervinho.

As for the player himself, lets take a look at what he has had to say about the move in the usual new signing press conference/appease the fans kind of guff.

"I'm very excited to be here," Ba tolf NUFC TV. "Everything has been sorted out and now I'm happy because I can start to focus on playing and scoring goals for Newcastle. This is a great club and a very good team, so to sign here was an easy choice to make.

"I have spoken to Hatem about the club and he told me how happy he is here and how big Newcastle are, so I'm really happy and I can't wait to start playing. I know a lot of famous strikers have played here before and I will do my best to win games for the club."

Ba continued: "When I step on the pitch, all I want to do is win games, and I think the Premier League is a good league for me. I will keep on working hard. I've heard that the atmosphere here is great and I can't wait to score some goals in front of our fans and here that atmosphere for myself."

Some good words there from Demba Ba, but aren't they all when a player joins a new club? As far as signings go it's two signing in a week for Newcastle. I wonder who is planned for next week?

Welcome to Newcastle Demba Ba.