Dembo Saidykhan
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 20 January 2004 | ||
| Place of birth | Bakau, Gambia | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Whitecaps FC 2 | ||
| Number | 51 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| Steve Biko FC | |||
| 2024– | Whitecaps FC 2 | 13 | (1) |
| 2024– | → Whitecaps FC Academy | 1 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2023– | Gambia U20 | 6 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 6 October 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 1 June 2023 | |||
Dembo Saidykhan (born 20 January 2004) is a Gambian footballer who plays for Whitecaps FC 2 in MLS Next Pro.
Club career
[edit]Saidykhan began his senior career with Steve Biko FC in the GFA League First Division.[1]
In August 2023, he agreed to sign with Whitecaps FC 2 in MLS Next Pro.[2][3] He signed with the Whitecaps, despite interest from Scottish club Rangers, French club Toulouse, Danish club FC Nordsjaelland, and English club Southampton.[4] He officially signed his contract for the 2024 season in November 2023, departing Gambia for Canada at that time.[5][6] He scored his first professional goal on June 23, 2024, scoring the winning goal in a 3-2 victory over Ventura County FC.[7][8] In December 2024, he re-signed with the team for the 2025 season.[9]
International career
[edit]Saidykhan represented the Gambia U20 at the 2023 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations and 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where he helped them reach the Round of 16.[10]
In June 2024, he was called up to the Gambia senior national team for the first time for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ Shahaney, Pranav (24 July 2023). "Rangers and Southampton in race to sign Gambian defender Dembo Saidykhan". Ibrox News.
- ^ "WFC2 add four new players to MLS NEXT Pro roster". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. 3 August 2023.
- ^ Owen, Dan (4 August 2023). "Rangers won't be signing 'one of the world's greatest defensive talents' now". Rangers News.
- ^ Rotz, Anthony (3 August 2023). "Dembo Saidykhan set to join Vancouver Whitecaps". MLS Multiplex.
- ^ "Gambia U-20 defender Dembo Saidykhan signs for Vancouver Whitecaps FC". The Point. 23 November 2023.
- ^ Sawo, Sandally (23 November 2023). "U-20's Defender Dembo Saidykhan Joins Vancouver Whitecaps". The Voice.
- ^ Pereira, Sebastian (23 June 2024). "WFC2 secure fifth consecutive win with 3-2 comeback victory over Ventura County FC". Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
- ^ "Dembo Saidykhan's first career goal lifts Whitecaps FC 2 over Ventura County FC for 3-2 away win". MLS Next Pro. 23 June 2024.
- ^ "Whitecaps FC announce 2025 WFC2 roster updates". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. 11 December 2024.
- ^ Kilvington, Ross (31 July 2023). "Rangers: Beale could ditch Davies for Dembo Saidykhan". Football Fancast.
- ^ "Dembo Saidykhan called up to The Gambia's men's national team for upcoming 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup Qualifiers". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. 4 June 2024.
External links
[edit]- Dembo Saidykhan at Soccerway