Dembo Saidykhan

Dembo Saidykhan (born 20 January 2004) is a Gambian footballer who plays for Whitecaps FC 2 in MLS Next Pro.

Dembo Saidykhan

Personal information
Date of birth	(2004-01-20) 20 January 2004 (age 21)
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

Club career

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

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]