Ex-Rangers player wows boss in Scottish football comeback bid after freak accident sparked emergency surgery

Former Rangers starlet Dapo Mebude is edging closer towards signing a contract with Scottish Championship side Dunfermline after a series of impressive performances for James McPake’s team in training.

The Courier has reported that the 23-year-old striker has been on trial at the Fife based side since last week and is expected to stay at the club for the time being.

Mebude made just one league appearance for Rangers as a youngster before making the move to Watford. He failed to make a single appearance at Vicarage Road AFC but did show signs of promise in a loan spell at AFC Wimbledon before joining Belgian side K.V. Oostende in 2022.

However, the young forward’s life changed completely during his time in Belgian when he was hospitalised during a freak car accident. The Courier understand that Mebude was cut from his vehicle and required emergency surgery on his chest before spending five days in a coma.

After the incident, Mebude said: “I feel like I’ve got a new mindset now. Life can be taken away from you at any time and your career is short. So I’m really excited to get back playing and fulfilling the potential I believe I’ve got.”

Mebude trained with both Raith Rovers and Livingston during the summer but now looks set to find a new permanent home at the KDM Group East End Park stadium.

“Dapo is still here,” explained McPake. “This is the start of his second week.

“It was terrible what happened to him [the car crash], and that’s going to take time. But looking at him, he’s looking really sharp, really good, and he’s looking fit as well.

“Credit to him for that because he’s had to do a lot of work on his own as well. I think he’s getting there. He was excellent today (Wednesday) – but I’ll certainly need to see more of him.”

Dunfermline currently sit seventh in the Scottish Championship with four points from their opening five league matches this term.