Transfers: Wonderkid Dembele leaves Celtic for Brest

Karamoko Dembele has confirmed his departure from Celtic by signing for French top-flight club Brest.

The 19-year-old's Celtic Park contract expired this summer and he has signed a four-year deal with Brest, who finished 11th in Ligue 1 last season.

There were high hopes for Dembele at Celtic following some eye-catching performances in the academy teams - in 2016, the attacking midfielder turned out for the under-20s at the age of 13.

That same year he was named Player of the Tournament at the St Kevin's Boys Academy Cup in Dublin, which featured Barcelona, Deportivo La Coruna, Lyon and West Brom.

Neil Lennon later handed him a first-team debut at the age of 16, but he departed having played only 10 first-team matches.

Dembele looked like he might stake a claim under Ange Postecoglou 12 months ago but he suffered an ankle injury in a heavy challenge during an early pre-season game and eventually had to undergo surgery.

The London-born player made two substitute appearances in March but there was no sign of a major first-team breakthrough and his departure comes as little surprise.

Dembele told his new club’s website: "I have come to Brest because I saw that the project presented by (sporting director) Greg Lorenzi was good.

"It’s something that suits me and I think I can have some playing time here. It was a great opportunity that presented itself to me and it interested me."

Dembele has represented both Scotland and England at youth level and is also eligible for Ivory Coast.