Bira Dembélé

Bira Dembélé (born 22 March 1988) is a French footballer who plays for Laval.

Bira Dembélé
Personal information
Full name Bira Dembélé[1]
Date of birth (1988-03-22) 22 March 1988
Place of birth Villepinte, Seine-Saint-Denis, France
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Defender
Club information
Current team
 Laval
Number 5
Youth career
1996–2000 Neuilly-sur-Marne
2000–2001 La Portugaise Porto
2001–2003 Villemomble Sports
2003–2004 UJA Alfortville
2004–2005 Neuilly-sur-Marne
2005–2008 Rennes
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2011 Rennes 9 (0)
2009–2010 → Boulogne (loan) 22 (1)
2010–2011 → Rennes II 20 (0)
2011–2014 Sedan 1 (0)
2012 → Red Star (loan) 9 (0)
2012–2013 → Sedan II 17 (2)
2014–2015 Stevenage 39 (3)
2015–2017 Barnet 49 (7)
2017– Laval 58 (7)
2018– → Laval II 11 (1)
National team
2008 France U21 4 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19:49, 4 December 2020 (UTC)

Club career

Stade Rennais

Born in Villepinte, Seine-Saint-Denis, France, Dembélé worked his way through the Stade Rennais' youth team, having previously played for various youth teams.[2] While progressing through the club's reserve, he paired with Prince Oniangué in central defense.[2]

Following the injuries of the club's first team players, Dembélé was promoted to the club's first team.[2] After appearing as an unused substitute on five occasions,[3] Dembélé finally made his Stade Rennais, starting the whole game, in a 1-1 draw against Metz on 26 January 2008.[4] After appearing in a handful of first team appearances, the club were convinced with his performance, leading Dembélé signing a three-year professional contract.[5] For the next two seasons, he went on to make thirteen appearances in all competitions.

In summer of 2009, Dembélé was loaned to Boulogne, recently promoted to Ligue 1, to gather some professional experience.[6] He made his debut for the club on 16 August 2009, coming on as a late substitute, in a 2-1 win over Grenoble.[7] He then scored his first professional goal on 4 October 2009, in a 3-2 loss against Lille.[8] Since then, Dembélé became a first team regular at Boulogne throughout the 2009-10 season and making twenty-four appearances and scoring once.[9]

Following the end of the 2009-10 season, Dembélé, however, was left on the sidelines by Frédéric Antonetti and played the whole 2010/2011 season with the Reserve.[10][11] At the end of the season, he was released by the club.[12]

Sedan

Following his released by Stade Rennais, Dembélé moved to Sedan in the summer of 2011.[13] Dembélé was sent-off in the second-half on his league debut on 23 August 2011, in a 3-1 loss against Le Mans.[14] However, Dembélé failed to make a first team his and his time there included a brief loan to Red Star in January 2012.[15] However, in April, Dembele loan spell was cut short because of injury.[16]

For the next two seasons, Dembélé remained at the club until his release following the club's bankruptcy.[17]

Stevenage

Dembélé joined League One side Stevenage on 22 February 2014 on a free transfer.[18] Upon joining Stevenage, manager Graham Westley commented about Dembélé's talent, stating he "got a lot of quality; he's quick, very strong in the air and he can play the game."[19]

Dembélé made his debut for the club three days later, on 25 February 2014, where he made his first start in a 1–0 win over Crewe Alexandra.[20] After the match, Westley praised Dembele's debut, citing his pace and strong challenge.[21] His next appearance against Crawley Town on 4 March 2014, where he played at the right-back and scored his first goal from then header. The result went on to be a 1–1 draw.[22] Despite being sidelined with injuries,[23][24] he went on to make thirteen appearance and scoring once. At the end of the 2013-14 season, Manager Westley revealed that Dembélé had signed a new contract with Stevenage.[25]

In the 2014-15 season, Dembélé continued to remain in the left-back position since the start of the season but around at the same time, "seemed to struggle in the wide position."[26] However, he struggled to regained his left-back position in the first team, due to Darius Charles preferred and his own injury concerns.[27] Despite this, he went on to score two more goals later in the season against Newport County[28] and Tranmere Rovers.[29] In his last appearance for Stevenage against Southend United in the play-offs, Dembélé was involved in an collision with Michael Timlin, leading him to miss out in the second-leg.[30][31] At the end of the 2014-15 season, he was among twelve players to be released.[32]

Barnet

In June 2015, Dembélé signed a two-year contract with League Two side, Barnet.[33] Upon joining the club, he was given a number four shirt ahead of the 2015-16 season.[34]

Dembélé made his Barnet debut in the opening game of the season, starting the whole match, in a 2-0 defeat against Leyton Orient.[35] Since making his Barnet debut, he established himself in the Barnet first team.[36] Dembélé then scored his first goal for the club, in a 2-1 loss against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the second round of the League Cup on 25 August 2015.[37] Soon after, on 5 September 2015, in a 3-2 loss against Carlisle United.[38] However, between late-September and November, he was plagued by injuries.[39][40][41] After returning to the first team,[42] he then scored twice on 19 December 2015, in a 4-2 win over Crawley Town.[43] However, his return was short-lived when he suffered a knee injury and was sidelined for two months.[44][45] It wasn't until on 9 April 2016 when he returned to the first team from injury, in a 3-0 win against Leyton Orient.[46] In his first season at Barnet, Dembélé went on to make thirty appearances and scoring four times in all competitions.

In the 2016-17 season, Dembélé began playing in the central defense position at the start of the season until he suffered a bruised ribs that kept him out throughout August.[47][48] After returning from injury, his return was short-lived when he was sent-off in the second half, in a 5-1 loss against Portsmouth on 24 September 2016.[49] Dembélé then scored his first goal of the season on 8 October 2016, in a 3-2 loss against Doncaster Rovers.[50] By the end of 2016, he scored three more goals later in the 2016-17 season against Plymouth Argyle,[51] Newport County[52] and Luton Town.[53] Dembélé also captained Barnet for the first time, in a 2-1 loss against Peterborough United in the EFL Trophy.[54] However, the 2016-17 season saw him being plagued with injuries.[55][56][57][58] Dembélé was released at the end of the 2016-17 season. In all, he made 57 appearances for the Bees, scoring eight goals.[59]

Laval

After leaving the club, Dembélé went on a trial at Scottish Premiership side Motherwell.[60] After being featured in a friendly match, he, however, turned down a contract from the club.[61] Instead, Dembélé joined Laval for the 2017-18 season, returning to France for the first time in four years.[62]

International career

In August 2008, he was called up France U21 and went on to play four times for the France U21 side.[63][64]

See also

References
  1. http://www.thefa.com/~/media/files/thefaportal/governance-docs/registrations/july-2015.ashx.
  2. "Bira Dembélé" (in French). Stade Rennnais Online. 17 July 2002. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  3. "Une classe d'écart..." (in French). Stade Rennais Online. 25 November 2007. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  4. "Une Nouvelle Desillusion" (in French). Stade Rennais Online. 27 January 2008. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  5. "sign Dembele pro" [Foot Ligue 1 Rennes Dembele signe pro] (in French). L'Equipe. 9 April 2008. Archived from the original on 21 April 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  6. "Rennes confirmed for Dembele" [Foot – Transferts : Rennes confirme pour Dembélé] (in French). L'Equipe. 15 July 2009. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  7. "FOOTBALL - Ligue 1 - USBCO - Grenoble 2-1 (2-0) - Boulogne ouvre son compteur" (in French). Calais Maville. 16 August 2009. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  8. "Joueurs prêtés : Dembélé inscrit son premier but chez les pros" (in French). Stade Rennais Online. 5 October 2009. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  9. "Transferts : Lasimant pas conservé, Dembélé et Oniangue sur le départ" (in French). Stade Rennais Online. 16 June 2010. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  10. "Transferts : Dembélé visé par Le Havre ?" (in French). Stade Rennais Online. 29 November 2010. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  11. "Transferts : Dembélé et Oniangue plus désirés à Rennes" (in French). Stade Rennais Online. 1 August 2010. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  12. "Dembele and Caro not retained" [Dembélé et Caro non-conservés] (in French). L'Equipe. 2 June 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  13. "B. Dembele à Sedan" [B. Dembele à Sedan] (in French). L'Equipe. 28 June 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  14. "NANTES SE DONNE DE L'AIR" (in French). Football 365. 23 August 2011. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  15. "David Beckham will not be joining Paris Saint Germain". French Football Weekly. 3 January 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  16. "Red Star: End of season Bira Dembele" [Red Star: Fin de saison pour Bira Dembélé] (in French). Chrono Foot. 11 April 2012. Archived from the original on 21 April 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  17. "Anciens Rennais : Dembélé en D3 anglaise" (in French). Stade Rennais Online. 23 February 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  18. "Bira Dembele: Stevenage sign French defender". BBC Sport. 22 February 2014. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
  19. "Stevenage new boy Dembele has a 'lot of promise', says Westley". The Comet. 24 February 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  20. "Match report: Stevenage 1 Crewe Alexandra 0". The Comet. 25 February 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  21. "Stevenage boss praises duo after impressive debuts in win over Crewe". The Comet. 25 February 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  22. "Match Report: Crawley Town 1 – 1 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 4 March 2014. Retrieved 20 April 2014.
  23. "UP NEXT: BRISTOL CITY (H)". Stevenage F.C. 18 April 2014. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  24. "Full-time report: Brentford 2 Stevenage 0". The Comet. 3 May 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  25. "STEVENAGE AGREE TERMS WITH RONNIE HENRY, CHRIS WHELPDALE AND SIMON WALTON". Stevenage FC. 30 June 2014. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
  26. "Richards' strike sends Stevenage to defeat at Northampton". The Comet. 22 November 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  27. "Westley: This could be the best Stevenage team ever". The Comet. 1 September 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  28. "REPORT: Lee and Dembele guide Stevenage past Newport County". The Comet. 7 March 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  29. "Stevenage 2-2 Tranmere Rovers". BBC Sport. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  30. "Defender was not knocked out and was fine to play on following clash of heads, says Stevenage boss". The Comet. 10 May 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  31. "Dembele in doubt for play-off second leg at Southend". The Comet. 12 May 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  32. "Dembele and 12 others released by Stevenage". The Comet. 20 May 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  33. "Bira Dembele: Barnet sign former Stevenage defender". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  34. "Barnet FC Squad Numbers 2015-16 announced!". Barnet F.C. 6 August 2015. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  35. "Bees Stung By Two Goals in a Minute at Leyton Orient". Times Series. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  36. "Barnet boss Martin Allen admits some of his summer signings must improve but feels those who have stepped up from the Conference have been 'superb'". Times Series. 15 September 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  37. "Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 - 1 Barnet". BBC Sport. 25 August 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  38. "Carlisle United 3 - 2 Barnet". BBC Sport. 5 September 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  39. "Tom Champion will remain at Barnet after injury to Bira Dembele prevented him going out loan". Times Series. 26 September 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  40. "Barnet assistant coach Gary Waddock says the reaction of the Bees in training this week has given Martin Allen decisions to make ahead of York City's visit". Times Series. 16 October 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  41. "Barnet defensive pair Bira Dembele and Sam Muggleton are both set for up to five weeks out after picking up knee injuries". Times Series. 3 November 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  42. "Barnet defender Bira Dembele could return from a knee injury to face Newport County in the FA Cup on Saturday". Times Series. 3 December 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  43. "Barnet 4 - 2 Crawley Town". BBC Sport. 19 December 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  44. "Martin Allen makes three changes to his Barnet starting XI for this afternoon's trip to Dagenham & Redbridge in League Two". Times Series. 13 February 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  45. "Martin Allen has revealed he will make two changes for Barnet's visit from AFC Wimbledon tomorrow". Times Series. 19 February 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  46. "John Akinde scores twice as Barnet beat Leyton Orient in fine fashion". Times Series. 9 April 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  47. "Bees start season with positive point". Times Series. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  48. "Martin Allen: "I thought it was very disappointing"". Barnet F.C. 27 August 2016. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  49. "Barnet well beaten at Portsmouth as Bira Dembele is sent off". Times Series. 25 September 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  50. "Doncaster Rovers 3 - 2 Barnet". BBC Sport. 8 October 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  51. "Plymouth Argyle 0 - 2 Barnet". BBC Sport. 22 November 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  52. "Barnet 3 - 2 Notts County". BBC Sport. 26 November 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  53. "Luton Town 3 - 1 Barnet". BBC Sport. 31 December 2016. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  54. "Report: Barnet 1-2 Peterborough United". Barnet F.C. 8 November 2016. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  55. "Preview: Crewe Alexandra (H)". Barnet F.C. 18 November 2016. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  56. "Dembele talks Stevenage". Barnet F.C. 30 March 2017. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  57. "Team news: Barnet v Plymouth Argyle". Barnet F.C. 2 January 2017. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  58. "TEAM NEWS: Barnet Vs. Luton Town". Luton Town F.C. 8 April 2017. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  59. "Rossi Eames: Barnet appoint new head coach". BBC Sport. 19 May 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  60. https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/15384862.motherwell-ponder-dembele-move-as-stephen-robinsons-men-get-off-to-a-winning-start/
  61. "Bira Dembele: Motherwell give up on target as defender rejects an offer". BBC Sport. 14 July 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  62. Bira Dembele : "Heureux d'être ici"
  63. "Espoirs : Danzé et Dembélé retenus" (in French). Stade Rennais Online. 29 August 2008. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  64. "Sélections : aucun rennais en Espoirs" (in French). Stade Rennais Online. 13 November 2008. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
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