Exciting striker Cyrus Dehmie has become the latest emerging talent to commit to Brisbane Roar, signing an A-League scholarship contract on his 19th birthday.
The BRFC Academy product joins fellow youngster Alex Parsons in putting pen to paper on his first professional deal this week.
Dehmie, a Liberian-Australian who was born in Ivory Coast, came through the Roar’s youth ranks and has shone in the NPL Queensland this season, earning his A-League debut in a Matchweek 13 fixture against Wellington Phoenix in March.
That moment was the culmination of a journey that brought him from West Africa to Australia as a refugee when he was eight years old.
“I’m over the moon,” Dehmie said after signing his scholarship deal.
“It’s been my dream since I came to Australia to become a professional. This is a step forward in that dream.
“When I came into the Brisbane Roar Academy – being in that environment, having that pathway – is when I knew could keep moving up the ladder with hard work and dedication.
“I want to say a big thank you to the entire Brisbane Roar coaching staff and my family and friends for their support. I wouldn’t be here without them. And I thank everyone who has been involved in this journey with me, helping me to grow.
“Hopefully now I can get an A-League goal, get more minutes, work hard and show what I can do.”
How about the skill, speed and celebration from Cyrus Dehmie in our Young Roar's weekend #NPLQLD win? ?
Check out his hat-trick in full on @npltv and follow @AcademyBRFC for more ?
? @FootballQLD pic.twitter.com/XTLZ60Zdxo
— Brisbane Roar FC (@brisbaneroar) April 20, 2021
Dehmie’s first home appearance came against Central Coast Mariners in Matchweek 20 and he followed that up with his maiden A-League start away to Adelaide United.
The centre-forward is well known to Head Coach Warren Moon, who coached him while Dehmie was a student at Anglican Church Grammar School in Brisbane.
“Cyrus is an excellent young man with a lot of footballing ability,” Moon said. “He knows this is just the beginning for him and that he still has a long way to go in his development, but he is in the right environment here at Brisbane Roar.
“We’re very excited about working closely with him and watching him improve.”
