Ben Siriki Dembélé is an Ivorian professional footballer who plays as a winger but can also play as a striker for League One club Peterborough 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 a trial 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 Dembélé joined Peterborough United on a 3-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
Club career
Dembélé 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 Dembélé attended the 'Nike Most Wanted' 2016 trials, where he won a place at the Nike Football Academy, he was just one of two English players 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, Dembélé 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 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. 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 3-year deal for an undisclosed fee on 22 June 2018.
Dembélé is ambidextrous 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.
Personal life
Dembélé has a younger brother, winger Karamoko Dembélé, who plays for Scottish club Celtic. Both are eligible to play for England, Scotland or Ivory Coast respectively as they are of Ivorian descent. Another brother, Hassan, was playing for the Celtic under-9s in November 2017. Dembélé is related to Ivorian footballers Yaya Touré, Kolo Touré, and the late Ibrahim Touré. He also has a sister, Macoula Dembélé who was studying law and was signed to a top Scottish modelling agency.
