Siriki Dembélé

Ben Siriki Dembélé (born 7 September 1996) is an Ivorian professional footballer who plays as a left winger or striker for club Oxford United.

Dembélé 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, Dembélé started his career with Dundee United's youth system. He then moved to playing in their academy. Dembélé returned south of the border joining the Nike Football Academy in May 2016; he had trials with Championship clubs Barnsley and Huddersfield Town in September 2016. In May 2017, Dembélé moved to Grimsby Town signing his first professional contract. On 22 June 2018, he joined Peterborough United on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. He joined AFC Bournemouth in January 2022 on a three-and-a-half-year deal and spent the second half of the 2022–23 season on loan to French Ligue 1 club Auxerre before returning to the Championship with Birmingham City in July 2023. A year later, after Birmingham's relegation, he joined Oxford United.

Club career Early career Dembélé was born in Bouaflé, Ivory Coast. He relocated with his family to London before moving to 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 Dembélé attended the 'Nike Most Wanted' 2016 trials, where he won a place at the Nike Football Academy; he was 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 EFL 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. He did have the opportunity to trial with fellow League Two club Stevenage, Dembélé said: "I still had a few clubs to go before making my decision, but once I found out I was joining this club to sign my very first professional contract it felt amazing."

He made his full professional debut with Grimsby on 5 August 2017, in their 3–1 victory at Chesterfield, where he ran at pace through the midfield beating three men and placed a through ball to Sam Jones, which put Grimsby into a 2–0 lead. Dembélé scored his first goal for Grimsby in the 2–1 win at Port Vale on 7 October 2017, a through ball from Luke Summerfield, which Dembélé latched onto and rounded the keeper to win the game. Ten days later, he scored a brace in a 3–2 victory at Cheltenham Town.

Dembélé was awarded EFL Young Player of the Month for October 2017.

In June 2018, Dembélé submitted a transfer request.

Peterborough United Dembélé joined Peterborough United on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee on 22 June 2018. Despite handing in a transfer request in January 2021 stating personal reasons and a desire to play at a higher level, he was part of the team that won promotion to the EFL Championship from EFL League One in the 2020/21 season.

AFC Bournemouth On 31 January 2022, Dembélé joined EFL Championship club AFC Bournemouth on a three-and-a-half-year contract, for an undisclosed fee. Commenting on the move amidst interest from other clubs, Dembélé stated that Bournemouth was his top choice because of the higher chance of promotion and the club's style of play. He scored his first goal for the club in his second appearance; a last minute winner against Blackpool on 12 February 2022.

Loan to Auxerre On 31 January 2023, Dembélé moved to Ligue 1 club Auxerre on loan until the end of the season.

Birmingham City Dembélé signed for Championship club Birmingham City on 14 July 2023; the fee was undisclosed.

Oxford United Dembélé joined Oxford United of the Championship on 29 August 2024 on a long-term contract. The fee was undisclosed but it was widely reported that Oxford broke their transfer record to sign him, meaning the fee would have surpassed the £650,000 the club paid for Marvin Johnson in 2016, with Birmingham thought to have valued the player at between £1 million and £1.5 million.

Style of play Dembélé is ambipedal although mainly right footed; he primarily plays on the left wing in 4–3–3 and 4–2–3–1 formations. He prefers to play as a striker in a 4–4–2 formation. Dembélé is known for his speed, taking on players with his dribbling skills and holding the ball bringing others into play. Dembélé is a Muslim, and observes Ramadan while continuing his football career.

Career statistics

Honours AFC Bournemouth Championship runner-up: 2021–22

Individual EFL Young Player of the Month: October 2017