Daryl Dike is an American professional soccer player who plays for West Bromwich Albion after joining them from Major League Soccer outfit Orlando City for £7million in January 2021.
As a youngster, Dike featured for Oklahoma FC. He then went on to play for the Virginia Cavaliers at college level and Oklahoma City Energy U-23.
His impressive performances with Orlando City earned him a loan move to Championship side Barnsley in February 2021 where he scored nine goals in 19 appearances.
Dike also made his breakthrough at senior level for the United States Men's National Team in 2021.
He made his debut for Orlando as a substitute in the MLS Is Back Tournament round-of-16 win over Montreal Impact on July 25, 2020.
Dike made his first start on August 22, in what was also his first regular season MLS fixture, scoring in a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Inter Miami.
Four days later, Dike scored a brace in the 3-1 triumph over Nashville SC. Dike was named MLS Player of the Month for August 2020 with three goals and two assists in five games.
On February 1, 2021, Dike joined Barnsley on loan with a reported $20million option to buy and 20% sell-on fee clause. The 20-year-old had made his senior international debut a day before and thus gained eligibility for a work permit in the UK.
"Daryl had a tremendous rookie season with us here in Orlando, one that helped lead our club to the postseason and, on a personal level, be rewarded with multiple call-ups to the US Men's National Team," Muzzi said, as per the club's official website.
"I'm very grateful to have a deal that will be beneficial for both myself and the club. I'm excited to continue my development and keep up my fitness while with Barnsley and look forward to bringing what I learn back to Orlando to continue our success here in MLS."
Barnsley's CEO Dane Murphy was quoted by his club's website as saying: "Most of the club's work was completed early in this window, but we're ecstatic to get a player of Daryl's calibre into the squad. He has had a rapid rise in his career over the last two years showing he possesses a ton of talent. The club believe he will undoubtedly prove a real asset between now and May.
"It has been well documented that Valerien (Ismael) wanted to strengthen his forward line and in the short-term, this addition goes some way to accomplish that.
Dike made his debut off the bench as a replacement for Victor Adeboyejo in the 59th minute of Barnsley's 1-0 FA Cup fifth round defeat to Chelsea.
He scored his first goal for the club on February 24, 2021 in a 2-0 Championship victory over Stoke City.
Dike was named Barnsley's player of the month for March and also won the club's Goal of the Month prize for his strike against Birmingham City - the winner in a 1-0 victory. Dike's loan deal was extended late in April to prevent him having to return for the post-season after helping the team clinch a spot in the play-offs.
Dike celebrates one of his two goals on his return to Orlando City colours
Dike is eligible to play for Nigeria and his brother, Bright, his sister, Courtney, and cousin, Emmanuel Emenike, chose to don their colours.
"When you're younger, you're always sitting there, thinking about internationals, and I know I've had my siblings play for Nigeria," Dike told ESPN's Taylor Twellman.
Dike made his debut for the USMNT on January 31, 2021, coming on as a replacement for Paul Arriola in the 65th minute of a 7-0 friendly drubbing of Trinidad and Tobago.
Dike is the youngest of five siblings. In the same interview with Twellman in which he discussed his sibling playing for Nigeria, he was asked which striker he modelled his game around and settled on Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku.
Dike's net worth is unknown. However, Barnsley CEO Murphy has denied the transfer fee agreed upon for Dike in case of purchase was around £15million, insisting it was closer to fees which Barnsley have paid for players in the past.
Daryl Dike's third goal in two home games helped West Brom edge their way back into the play-off hunt with a 1-0 win over bottom club Wigan at The Hawthorns.
Carlos Corberan was as delighted by Daryl Dike’s defensive efforts as he was by the West Brom striker’s brace after he sunk Middlesbrough with a quickfire early double in a 2-0 win at The Hawthorns.
West Brom head coach Carlos Corberan praised Daryl Dike after the American’s goal against Reading secured their eighth win in nine Sky Bet Championship games.
Despite their late push, Inter Miami's play-off fate was sealed following a 3-1 loss to New York City FC, while Orlando City thought they had their post-season wrapped up, only for VAR to intervene.
Inter Miami rejoin the play-off race despite not playing, while LA Galaxy are desperately holding on to their post-season spot. Elsewhere, Nani's failed penalty attempt costs Orlando points.
LA Galaxy will hope Chicharito’s return against Austin can end their bad run, while New England are tipped to continue their hot form on top of the standings against Orlando.
"On his day he’s better than Kane (and) when he’s not, he’s practically Joe Hart if you put him up front."
