Ba ends Shenhua contract for 'personal reasons'

Shanghai Greenland Shenhua has said that its Senegal striker Demba Ba has ended his contract with the Chinese Super League side due to “personal reasons.”

The announcement was made through Shenhua’s official Weibo account on Tuesday evening. “We decided to respect his personal will and accept his proposal (of ending the contract early) after some discussion,” the statement said.

Ba still had half a year remaining on his contract with Shenhua. His next stop in a journeyman career that also includes England's Chelsea, West Ham United and Newcastle United is Turkish league leader Istanbul Basaksehir.

Ba joined Shenhua from aother Turkish side Besiktas in July 2015. The 33-year-old Senegal international scored a total of 34 goals in 46 CSL and eight CFA Cup games for the team. On July 17, 2016, Ba suffered tibia and fibula fracture in his left leg after a clash during Shenhua’s derby match against SIPG. He had surgery in Shanghai and re-joined Besiktas on loan in January 2017.

He made a return to Shenhua last June and scored the winning goal on his return debut the following month. However, Shenhua's form went into a tailspin, especially during the second half of last season, while Ba seemed a shadow of his former self, failing to meet fans’ expectations. Shenhua finished seventh in the 16-team CSL last year.

“Ba is loved by his teammates and fans for his modesty, great personality and loyalty,” Shenhua’s statement said. “The club thank Ba for his contribution during the past few seasons and wish him all the best in future career and life.”

After naming Enrique “Quique” Sanchez Flores as its new manager, Shenhua is having its winter training in Spain’s Marbella, while Ba was said to have left the club already on Monday.

Shenhua will be looking for a new overseas recruit following Ba’s departure. The club currently has three foreign midfielders — Giovanni Moreno and Fredy Guarin from Colombia and Paraguay's Oscar Romero.