Turkish top flight side Besiktas on Friday confirmed they had acquired Senegalese international striker Demba Ba from Chelsea for six million euros ($8.1 million) on a four year deal.
Ba, 29, turned out for his first training session with Besiktas, who are currently on a pre-season training camp in England, the club said in a statement.
Besiktas said that six million euros transfer fee would be paid in five instalments up to mid-2016. Meanwhile, the player will receive a 2.5 million euro ($3.4 million) wage each year for the four years of his contract.
Ba, a practising Muslim, said he was happy to be playing in an Islamic country and also excited by the prospect of working under the Croatian coach Slaven Bilic.
“Besiktas fans love the players who are hardworking and who display a spirit during the games,” the club quoted Ba as saying.
“I will do my best to deserve their esteem. I am not ready at the moment but will work very hard to get ready and keep up with the team.”
Besiktas will be looking in the coming season to improve on last year’s third place behind Istanbul rivals Fenerbahce and Galatasaray.
The team also has a place in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League where they face a tough tie against Feyenoord of the Netherlands.