Bira Dembele

Bira Dembele was snapped up by manager Graham Westley on a free transfer in February 2014, with Stevenage struggling at the foot of the League One table. A former French U21 international, the signature provided Boro’ with an additional defensive option as they sought to keep the goals out.

Dembele started his career as a youth at French-side UJA Alfortville in 2004, before switching to Stade Rennes in 2005. He turned pro at the Ligue 1 club in 2007 and stayed there for four years. However, he saw little first team action while he was there and only played a handful of games.

He did get some first team experience thanks to a loan spell with US Boulogne, before leaving Stade Rennes for Sedan in 2011. Again, first team chances were at a premium for the defender and he went out on loan once again in 2012 to Red Star 93 of the third tier – the Championnat National.

The move to England and Graham Westley’s Stevenage in 2014 marked the first time he had stepped outside of France with his career, hoping that he could not only help Boro’ to remain in League One but also establish himself as a first team regular for arguably the first time as a professional.

With time called on Westley’s third stint as Boro’ boss in summer 2015, it was still very surprising to hear that Dembele would be following him out of the Lamex after being let go by the club. After a strong second half to the 2014-5 season, it had seemed as if the Frenchman would be a longstay of the Boro’ defence but it proved not to be.