Forgotten wonderkid once dubbed ‘next Lionel Messi’ seals return to English football after Ligue 1 spell

FORGOTTEN wonderkid Karamoko Dembele will return to English football after signing with Queens Park Rangers.

The 21-year-old once received one of the most promising accolades a young footballer can get – by being compared to Lionel Messi.

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Karamoko Dembele has signed with Championship side Queens Park Rangers[/caption]

Kenny Ramsay

The former Celtic star was nice compared to Lionel Messi[/caption]

However, Dembele’s career hasn’t quite hit the heights of the Argentine icon, with his latest move seeing him agree a £2.5million switch to Championship side QPR.

Transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano confirmed on Saturday that the winger “will travel to the UK this weekend to complete medical tests.”

The London-born ace spent last season on loan from French club Brest at League One Blackpool and became a key man in the squad.

Dembele’s eight goals and 14 assists throughout the season contributed significantly to Blackpool’s EFL League One promotion push and he was awarded the Players’ “Player of the Season”.

The former Celtic star joined the Scottish giants at the age of 10 and shot to fame in 2016 when then-manager Brendan Rodgers called him into the senior squad.

He made his debut for Celtic’s under-20 development team at the age of 13.

After playing eight matches and scoring once for Celtic at a professional level his contract ended at the club and he signed for Brest in July 2022 on a free transfer and a four-year deal.

French outlet L’Equipe regarded him as one of six “outstanding young players set to revolutionise the game”.

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And during his loan at Blackpool last term boss Neil Critchley called him “a brilliant footballer” and “exciting, something different in this league”.

In his verdict to the Blackpool Gazette, Critchley added: “He’s really courageous, he takes the ball into any area of the pitch and backs himself – he’s got real bravery.”

QPR finished last season on the brink of relegation in 18th but victories in their last three games against Preston North End, Leeds and Coventry saved their place in the second tier.

Dembele missed out on Marti Cifuentes’ side’s opening match of the season against West Brom

The star will hope to feature in their next clash which takes place on August 17 against Sheffield United.