BY the time he was 16, Karamoko Dembele had received two of the most promising tributes a young footballer could get.
But five years later, the London-born winger has come of age off the pitch - while facing a shock to the system on it.
The ex-Celtic kid was once compared to Lionel Messi.
And respected French outlet L'Equipe regarded him as one of six "outstanding young players set to revolutionise the game".
But now his Ligue One club Brest have released him on a free transfer.
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It's a surprise blow with an extra twist - because Dembele's contract was not due to run out until 2026.
But he shone on loan for League One Blackpool in the domestic season just finished and is already being linked with Championship clubs.
SportBible suggest Bristol City and newly-promoted Derby are monitoring his situation.
However, it's all far removed from when Dembele stunned Celtic coaches with his sublime skills as a teenager.
Having joined the Scottish giants at the age of 10, then-manager Brendan Rodgers called him into senior-squad training three years later.
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He even made his Celtic U-20 debut at the same age.
Dembele's senior debut followed at 16 in 2019.
But once his contract expired three years later, Brest swooped with a four-year deal.
However, after struggling for regular football in France, he joined Blackpool last August for 2023-24.
Seasiders' boss Neil Critchley called him "a brilliant footballer" and "exciting, something different in this league".
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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."
Now Dembele might need some of that boldness to rediscover himself - if he still dreams of reaching even half the heights his admirers predicted for him.
