Wonderkid once labelled ‘the next Lionel Messi’ completes permanent move despite being outside transfer window
FORMER Celtic wonderkid Karamoko Dembele has agreed to join Queens Park Rangers in a permanent deal.
The 21-year-old signed for QPR on loan from Ligue 1 side Brest in August and has since made eight first team appearances.
Dembele has already established himself as a fan favourite, also earning praise from boss Marti Cifuentes.
And he will now be awarded with a new deal at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
The winger’s loan has been turned into a permanent move that will come into effect from next summer.
Dembele has admitted he is “really happy” with the move and “confident” about the future.
He told the official QPR website: “I’ve always wanted stability in my career, and this gives me that.
“I’m really happy to be here permanently and I’ve also enjoyed playing at Loftus Road – the atmosphere is incredible when there’s a big game.
“I’m pleased with the impact I’ve been able to make so far. My goal is to help the team as much as I can – I always want more but I’m pleased with the start I’ve made.
“I’m confident there is more to come, from both me and the team. We’ve got a good group and I think we’ve got lots of potential to do well this season.
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“There is already a growing camaraderie between the new players and the players who were already here. As time goes on and with the more games we play, that will grow even stronger.
“We want to finish as high as we can this season and be the best we can be.”
Dembele gained widespread attention in 2016 after making his debut for Celtic Under-20s aged just 13.
He signed his first professional contract two years later and went on to make 10 first team appearances.
During his time at Celtic, he was considered the “next Lionel Messi” by fans and one of his former coaches.
David Feeney said: “I think he is very similar to Lionel Messi. If he has the right guidance, then the sky is the limit for him.”
When his Celtic deal ran down in July 2022, Dembele joined Brest in a free transfer.
He was loaned out to Blackpool the following summer, where he scored nine goals and provided 14 assists in 47 League One appearances.