Islam Feruz example has surely inspired Karamoko Dembele Celtic decision

By Mathew Nash

Celtic have handed a professional deal to 15-year-old talent Karamoko Dembele. The talented midfielder has signed a deal at the club until at least 2021. For Celtic, it is a massive coup. When Dembele first emerged as a 13-year-old in the Celtic under-20s, he caught the eye of several top clubs around Europe. Barcelona tried to sign him, as reported by The Mirror.

But he has made the right move sticking around with Celtic. Just look at Islam Feruz.

NORWICH, ENGLAND – JANUARY 11: Islam Feruz of Chelsea during a FA Youth cup 4th Round match between Norwich City Youth and Chelsea Youth at Carrow Road on January 11, 2012 in Norwich, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

As reported by the IB Times, Chelsea signed the talented Scottish youth international for a compensation fee of £300,000 in 2011. It was an exit that left Celtic very disappointed.

It was also a move that did not work out. He is still at Chelsea, with his contract expiring in 2019. However, he has never played for the club. Poor spells at OFI Crete, Blackpool, Hibernian, Excelsior Mouscron and Swindon Town have followed. He also spent a weekend at Krylia Sovetov and had an unsuccessful trial at FC Aktobe.

“If he keeps progressing at this speed then who knows what he will be ready to achieve at 16? I hope he stays with Celtic, plays for their first team and score lots of goals. Never forget that playing football makes you happy.

“If he does that, the next step of his career will be a natural progression. He will not need to chase anything or rush into anything. He just has to keep his head down, stay focused and not allow himself to be distracted. That’s the best advice I can give him.”

– Islam Feruz on Karamoko Dembele future

Feruz has since said that he wished he had remained at Celtic and advised Dembele to do the same thing.

Hopefully, now his future is confirmed as being with Celtic, he can now focus on his development and become a star in Glasgow.

Perhaps the legacy of Feruz will be to learn from his mistake.