A transfer speculated for quite a while, Orlando City SC today announced that Daryl Dike has permanently joined EFL Championship side West Bromwich Albion.
His second winter move to England in as many seasons, Daryl Dike reunites with former Barnsley boss Valérien Ismaël at The Hawthorns as well as former Tykes team-mate Alex Mowatt.
NEWS: #OrlandoCity Transfers Forward Daryl Dike to West Bromwich Albion.
Details: https://t.co/2DdwZ9rzln#VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/UbwiLmmb5G
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) January 1, 2022
New year. New signing.
We’re delighted to welcome @USMNT international forward @DarylDike to the club on a permanent contract. ✍️🇺🇸
— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) January 1, 2022
In West Bromwich Albion’s official release, the Baggies confirmed that Daryl Dike joins for “an undisclosed fee” and “has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract.”
With Orlando City SC opening their 2022 MLS regular season campaign against CF Montréal on February 27, City must now find a special replacement.
West Bromwich Albion head coach Valérien Ismaël said: “I’m delighted we have completed the transfer of Dike. He was always our first target and priority.”
With West Bromwich Albion seeking a return to the Premier League at the first attempt, Daryl Dike will be eyeing up promotion with Albion currently placed fourth.
Sitting eight points behind league leaders AFC Bournemouth, Daryl Dike and West Bromwich Albion’s aim will be reaching the Premier League, either automatically or via the 2021/22 EFL Championship Playoffs.
Speaking after the move was confirmed, Luiz Muzzi said: “We would like to thank Daryl for all he has given to Orlando City throughout his time here.
“We are happy that he was able to develop here in Orlando and grow into the player he is today.
“We wish Daryl nothing but the best in this next chapter.”
On his own move, Daryl Dike said: “I am extremely grateful to everyone at Orlando City for believing in me and for giving me the opportunity to play for this incredible club.
Let’s get started👊🏿😁 https://t.co/BBwzmnLte3
— Daryl Dike (@DarylDike) January 1, 2022
The rise and rise of Daryl Dike
Playing in college as recently as 2019, Daryl Dike is now a household name not only in MLS but throughout Europe as well.
Enjoying a whirlwind 2020/21, Daryl Dike‘s meteoric rise is undoubtedly one of the United States’ most heartwarming soccer stories in recent memory.
After breaking out with eight goals and four assists in 2020, Daryl Dike‘s exploits won him admirers from far and wide.
So impressive was his debut season at Orlando City SC that EFL Championship side Barnsley signed Daryl Dike on a short-term loan back on February 1.
A transfer out of the blue, Daryl Dike proved a huge success in England. Dike left Oakwell with nine goals in 19 EFL Championship appearances for the Tykes.
After returning to Orlando City SC in June 2021, it wasn’t long before the USMNT called Dike up to their 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup squad.
Part of a 24-man squad that won the competition at Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Daryl Dike was a man living his dreams all at once.
It would’ve been easy for Dike to slow down after effectively playing two straight seasons of soccer.
But Daryl Dike knuckled down and proved huge for the Lions in late 2021. He eventually tallied 10 Orlando City SC goals and three assists for the regular season.
It was Dike who effectively punched our ticket to the post-season too. His 86th minute goal at CF Montréal on 2021 MLS Decision Day sealed a second successive MLS Cup Playoffs appearance.
It was Daryl Dike who also opened the scoring at Nashville SC in the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs, only for the Music City side to unfortunately win 3-1.
Daryl Dike departs Exploria Stadium having made 38 appearances (MLS, MLS Cup Playoffs) for City, scoring 19 goals and tallying 7 assists.
The fans’ view
With #OCTwitter currently reacting to Daryl Dike‘s announcement as a West Bromwich Albion player, we gathered the best tweets following his move across the pond.
A Lion through and through. Thank you for being a part of #OrlandoCity
All the best in the future, @DarylDike! pic.twitter.com/gjNto8nm2F
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) January 1, 2022
It is a permanent transfer for Dike to #WBA, by the way, not a loan deal as was rumored and reported earlier today. #OrlandoCity
— Evan Weston (@EvanLWeston) January 1, 2022
Love following and watching @OrlandoCitySC games and Daryl is going to smash it at WBA. Good luck Daryl. @orlandocityuk @Orlando_CityUK
— Jason Lawes (@Lawesey83) January 1, 2022
Goodbye old friend pic.twitter.com/dsZ0Tpzo6N
— Lionsblog (@lionsblog1) January 1, 2022
Rip king 👑 pic.twitter.com/dNCPi01l8q
— Méndez Masterclass (@Cgoodwin188) January 1, 2022
Heartbreaking! Best of luck big man!
— KingConway (@KayC98) January 1, 2022
— Austin Romero (mike rome) (@AustinMRomero) January 1, 2022
End of an era 💜💜
— Jordan Morales (@jorda6n) January 1, 2022
All the best to @DarylDike on his new adventure! A fabulous player & an even better person 👏🏼 you’ll be missed but supported from afar by so many! 🦁💜 https://t.co/28tYeHaxE5
— Gabrielle Amado (@gabamado) January 1, 2022
You’ll be (clearly) missed by many 👇🏻Fly high @DarylDike and see you soon pic.twitter.com/EL8lhUy8No
— Ricardo Moreira (@9ricardomoreira) January 1, 2022
Good luck at West Bromwich Albion, Daryl!
On behalf of Orlando City UK, we wish Daryl Dike the very best of luck as he embarks on the latest chapter of his career in the West Midlands.
Dike’s jersey number is still yet to be confirmed as he reunites with Valérien Ismaël at The Hawthorns.
Thank you for the memories, @DarylDike. 🥺
You’ve been one of my favourite ever players at @OrlandoCitySC. 🦁
Go and smash it at @WBA, get to the @premierleague and @FIFAWorldCup with the @USMNT. We know the sky is the limit for you. 👏🏽🇺🇸⚽️#OrlandoCityUK 🦁🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/JJH8wtdcqm
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) January 1, 2022
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