ISTANBUL

Senegalese forward Demba Ba on Monday announced his retirement from football at age 36.

"What a wonderful journey it has been. Besides all the sweat and tears I have faced, football has given me so many beautiful emotions," Ba said on Twitter.

"From the passion of the fans and the noise coming from the stands after every goal to the connections with my teammates on and off field, this will forever remain in my head and heart," he added.

The forward helped claim two Turkish Super Lig titles with Besiktas and Istanbul Basaksehir as well as the 2013 UEFA Europa League title with Chelsea.

Ba also made appearances for England's West Ham United, Newcastle United, Turkey's Goztepe, and China's Shanghai Shenhua.

He also scored four goals in 22 games for the Senegalese national team.