Peterborough United star Siriki’s skills came from Ronaldinho

Siriki Dembele celebrates a goal for Posh. Photo: Joe Dent/theposh.com.

His own eventful and occasionally tortuous journey started in the Ivory Coast before moving on to London to Glasgow to Dundee to France to Moscow to Burton-on-Trent to Grimsby and finally to Peterborough. He’s still only 24.

Dembele learnt never to give up and to always play with a smile on his face.

Dembele was part of Dundee United’s youth set up before giving that up at the age of 14 and playing with his mates until he attended a trial at the famed Nike Academy.

“Dundee was just too far from my home,” Dembele revealed. “I’d always kicked a ball about as a kid and just enjoyed it. I used to love watching Ronaldinho and trying to learn all his tricks. I’d just keep repeating them until they were just second nature to me.

“I didn’t like school much apart from PE time. I enjoyed basketball and badminton, but I kept telling myself my chance in professional football would come.

“I always believed in myself. I never thought my height was a problem for instance, although I did start to wonder at the age of 16/17 if it was going to happen for me.

“But then the Nike Academy chance came up. I got in and it was based at St George’s Park, but we got to play all over the world against club sides.

“I played in Moscow and France, and the team from the year before me played in Brazil and Barcelona.

“I didn’t feel under any pressure to perform. I didn’t have anything anyway so I felt I had nothing to lose.

“I just wanted to show how good I was and let the rest take care of itself.

“Grimsby eventually asked me along for a trial and that was the start of professional football for me.

“I’d say to any young player out there never to give up and to always ensure you enjoy playing.

“As long as you are playing somewhere you can get spotted.

“You shouldn’t get disheartened if you don’t get taken on by your first club. Not every youth team player gets a pro deal, but it doesn’t mean the end of a career.

“Playing first team football is the important thing and going to Grimsby was good for me.”