Siriki Dembele

Ben Siriki Dembele (born 7 September 1996) is an Ivorian-born Scottish professional footballer who plays as a winger but can also play as a striker for Championship club Peterborough United.

Dembele is known for his speed, taking on players with his dribbling ability and holding the ball bringing others into play. At the age of 12, Dembele started his career with Dundee United's youth system. He then moved to playing in their academy. Dembele returned south of the border joining the Nike Football Academy in May 2016, he had a trial with Championship clubs Barnsley and Huddersfield Town in September 2016. In May 2017, Dembele moved to Grimsby Town signing his first professional contract. On 22 June 2018 Dembele joined Peterborough United on a 3-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Club Career

Dembele was born in Ivory Coast; he relocated with his family to London in search of better footballing opportunities, before finding themselves north of the border in Govan, Scotland in 2004. He attended Lourdes Secondary School in Glasgow, and started his career with Dundee United where he spent three years in their youth system. He then moved to Ayr United in their U20s academy team in 2015.

Several amateur players including Dembele attended the 'Nike Most Wanted' 2016 trials, where he won a place at the Nike Football Academy, he the only Scottish player selected for the St George's Park outfit, developing his skills in front of elite coaches and mentors. While at the academy, he had trials with Championship clubs Barnsley in August and Huddersfield Town in September 2016 and was due to sign for them, however, due to suffering an injury he was out for four months and went back to the Nike Academy in January 2017.

Grimsby Town

After training and featuring in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Barnsley at Blundell Park, Dembele joined League Two side Grimsby Town on 25 May 2017 on a one-year contract, the club having the option to retain him for a second year. He did