The end of the Kings Road for Celestine Babayaro is confirmed with the news that he is to join Newcastle on January 1, 2005.
Baba, 26, completed his medical at St James' Park yesterday and will sign the dotted line when the transfer window reopens.
Baba had found it near impossible to break into Jose Mourinho's side this season and as result Newcastle will have got an experienced defender for a pittance - no fee was disclosed.
Celestine's contract was up at the end of the season, so going now will enable him to play UEFA Cup football for the Magpies and play in their FA Cup tie against Yeading next month.
Baba won the FA Cup, League Cup, Charity Shield and European Super Cup during his seven-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge.
He was born in Kaduna, Nigeria on 29 August 1978.
He signed for Chelsea from Anderlecht in a £2.25m deal in April 1997.
He played 193 league games for Chelsea, 16 FA Cup games, 14 League Cup and 29 other matches in all.
Cheers Baba, best of luck.