Second division soccer club FC Schalke 04 has finally found a buyer for Pape Meissa Ba. The striker is moving abroad.

FC Schalke 04 and Pape Meissa Ba are going their separate ways. Just a few days after a transfer to English second division club Queens Park Rangers fell through, the Royal Blues have finally found a buyer for the striker. Ba, who only came to Gelsenkirchen in January from French second division club Grenoble Foot for around €300,000, is moving to Widzew Lodz.

Although the 28-year-old still had a contract until 2028, Schalke will not receive a transfer fee for the time being, according to the Polish first division club. Only performance-related payments could follow. Further information is available from WAZ.

“Pape knew that he would have a hard time getting the playing time he hoped for with us this season. After very open discussions about his prospects, we looked for a solution together and have now found one. We wish Pape all the best for his future, both personally and professionally, and thank him for his time at Schalke,” said Schalke’s director of professional football, Youri Mulder.

The Senegalese player made 13 second division appearances for Schalke in the 2024/2025 season, spending 588 minutes on the pitch and contributing two goals and two assists. However, under new coach Miron Muslic, Ba was dropped for the new season.

“I’m happy to be here (…). After familiarizing myself with the project and looking at various materials, I decided with great enthusiasm to move to Widzew,” said Ba at his presentation in Poland (via transfermarkt.de), adding: “I want to help the team achieve its goals. My greatest strength is scoring goals, but over the course of the season you will also discover my other abilities. I can’t wait to introduce myself to the fans.”