Bira DEMBÉLÉ

At the beginning of 2008, Bira Dembélé joined the professional squad of Stade Rennais FC definitively. He arrived at the club aged 17 from Alfortville. This tall defender jumped into the squad after the winter departures of Edman and Jeunechamp, and the relegation of Borne to the Reserve team or on the bench. It’s the arrival of Lacombe as Manager which was to be beneficial for him, as it was for his CFA (French 4th Division) team-mate Oniangué. He was given 4 starts in 8 matches as a stopper or left back in his first season, and he knew that he would need to confirm his progression in the following season. Unfortunately for him, the arrivals of Bocanegra, Mangane and Aubey meant that he was dropped to the bench (making just 4 appearances). He was sent out on a season-long loan to Boulogne in 2009/2010, which was disappointing, and he returned from his spell out of favour with boss Antonetti. He was dropped to the CFA Reserve side, and was never called up to the senior squad again after that, in spite of numerous injuries, right up to the end of his contract in 2011.