Official: Malian sensation Seydou Dembélé signs with Stade de Reims
Stade de Reims pulls off a major coup. The Champagne club has officially announced the arrival of Seydou Dembélé. The 18-year-old Malian midfielder joins from the JMG Academy in Bamako and will integrate into the Elite group.
Trained at the Jean Marc Guilloux Academy, Seydou Dembélé quickly made a name for himself in Mali. A graceful left-footer, he stands out for his refined technique, vision of the game, and ability to make the difference both with his passing and dribbling. A creative profile that fits perfectly with the Reims development project.
Reims for his development
The young attacking midfielder was courted by several top European clubs. FC Barcelona, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Fenerbahçe were all interested in securing his signature. Ultimately, he chose Reims to continue his progress. The Champagne club is betting on a gradual integration.
Seydou Dembélé will start with the Elite group to adapt to European football and build up his physical presence. Reims has built its reputation on unearthing young talents, and the Malian fits right into this philosophy.
A consistent talent
His rise has been no fluke. In 2024, he was named best player at the UFOA A U17 tournament in Senegal. He then competed in the U17 Africa Cup of Nations with Mali, reaching the final, which was lost on penalties to Morocco. The highlight came at the 2025 U17 World Cup in Qatar. Wearing the Aiglonnets jersey, Seydou Dembélé scored two goals and delivered four assists in five matches. He finished as the tournament's top scorer and established himself as one of the most closely watched midfielders of his generation.
With this signing, Reims secures a player already accustomed to the pressure of international competitions, arriving with a clear sense of purpose.
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