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Daryl Dike secures loan to Barnsley FC

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Just one day after making his U.S. Men’s National Team debut, Daryl Dike has now secured another promising opportunity to further his career.

The Orlando City striker has completed a loan move to EFL Championship side Barnley for the rest of the 2020-2021 season, the clubs announced on Monday.

Sources have confirmed to SBI that Dike will qualify for a UK work permit by virtue of the USMNT appearance he made on Sunday, which earned him the necessary points to qualify.

The 20-year-old joins Barnsley on loan with an option to purchase the striker outright from MLS side Orlando City.

“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,” Barnsley Chief Executive Officer Dane Murphy said. “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.”

After being selected fifth overall in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft, Dike made his debut at the MLS is Back Tournament in Orlando on July 25th. He went on to score 8 goals and chip in 4 assists in 17 appearances for the Lions in his rookie season.

The deal is a short term loan with an option for the English side to purchase Dike for a reported $20 million fee for 80% of his rights, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

“We believe this opportunity with Barnsley will present another step in his career, to not only develop in a new footballing environment, but to challenge himself in a new country and we’re excited for him to bring those learnings back to us here in Orlando.” said Orlando City EVP of Soccer Operations Luiz Muzzi.

Dike will depart shortly to report to training in England, where Barnsley is set to play Derby County on Saturday, with an FA Cup Round of 16 match against Chelsea looming on February 11.

Comments

  1. This is one example of why SOME MLS players need a chance to play for the national team. It’s been going on since’02 that I can remember. It’s an audition for better leagues. …but there was already Euro interest for Dike from MLS Is Back tourney. T&T match wasn’t the sole reason for this loan. Also Orlando City sent Cyle Larin, CF/9, Besiktas 4 years ago. Yoshi Yotun to Liga MX 2 years ago. OCSC has export transfer market experience. Btw, Dike was drafted out of college!! Also, OCSC had a good season from Tesho & Dom Dwyer is coming off injury, both are free agents. To me, Dike’s loan signals the club is looking at signing both. Win-Win. Dike doesn’t do well, he’s back by summer. If he does, club makes some cake. Olympic squad! Youth movement continues!

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  2. The trickle of Americans going to Europe is turning into a flood.Pretty amazing. Our youth system is becoming a smashing success.

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  3. 20 million to buy option pretty good chance he’s back in Orlando this Summer. Championship sides don’t make 20 million dollar transfers.

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    • How many MLS RBs are loaned out for $8.5 million, who started 1 season? A 20 mil loan-to-buy for a CF in Englands top 2 leagues isn’t far fetched. Dike wasn’t a starter until August. He played well with Nani on the left, and Mueller on the right. Did you watch Orlando in 2020? He’s patient, competent passer for a 9. Dude is built like an NFL wide receiver, and he uses his frame well for hold up play. After the January ‘20 transfer window, I think, what was impossible for American players years ago, is now possible!! I will concede that COVID put the process of loaning/selling US players as cheap supplements to bigger clubs in overdrive, but instead of doubting, let’s enjoy it!!

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      • From what I saw I thought Mueller loo0ked awfully good this season. I wonder if he will get European interest. Dike seems to have more speed, but I thought Mueller was a more complete player.

      • Barnsley’s highest transfer fee paid is 1.5 million pounds, there’s no way they’re paying $20 million for anyone. OK, let me backtrack. If Dike scores 25 goals in the next 4 months and the Premier League teams come sniffing around, Barnsley will exercise the buy option and then flip Dike to the Premier League at a profit.

        Also, notwithstanding the $20 million dollar option to buy, Barnsley is always free to negotiate a lower fee with MLS/OCSC if they do want to buy Dike.

  4. Aha. I already thought this camp was a great idea to develop depth and give more players a higher profile and more exposure to european scouts – I didn’t realize a cap literally can get you a work permit. Awesome. US soccer is doing a lot of smart things.

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      • Yeah, they’re looking for people who will still talk to them.

        In short supply right now. Since we’re lepers in the world order right now too, hey, ‘Merricuns might suddenly find it a lot easier to get looks in England now whereas they wouldn’t even sniff disdainfully in our direction most times, whereas I think MLS training academies had started to issue shoot-on-sight orders for German talent scouts because they were so tired of watching them poach players.

    • He already had a passport because his family migrated from Nigeria. Having a passport is the 1st step. Playing for your countries senior team comes next, then you talk about Brexit relaxed rules.

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