Daryl Dike is returning to Orlando City, the club announced Friday.The American striker signed a contract through the 2027 MLS sprint season after spending five seasons with West Bromwich Albion of the English Championship.”I’m thrilled to be back where it all started. Orlando is where I first got the opportunity to play professionally, and returning here feels like coming home,” Dike said in a statement. “From the moment I arrived the first time, I felt welcomed, and that same feeling has only grown since I’ve come back. Everyone has been incredibly supportive, and I’m grateful to be back in Orlando.”Dike’s contract also includes a club option for the 2027/2028 season.As part of the move, Orlando City sent $75,000 in 2027 General Allocation Money (GAM) to the Seattle Sounders in exchange for Dike’s Discovery Priority rights. The Lions could send an additional $75,000 in GAM if Dike meets certain performance-based incentives.”Daryl is a player our club and our fans know well, and we’re very excited to welcome him back to Orlando,” Orlando City general manager and sporting director Ricardo Moreira said. “He brings a powerful combination of strength, speed and physical presence, and his ability to hold up play, bring teammates into the attack and finish chances gives us another important option up front. Daryl has already shown what he can do in our league and in this city, and we look forward to helping him make an impact again in purple.”Dike, 26, spent two seasons with Orlando City after being selected with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft out of the University of Virginia.He scored eight goals during his rookie season in 2020 before adding 11 goals in all competitions in 2021.His breakout campaign earned him a loan move to English club Barnsley during the 2020-21 season, where he scored nine goals.During that stretch, Dike also earned his first call-up to the U.S. men’s national team.Following the 2021 MLS season, Orlando transferred Dike to West Bromwich Albion for a reported $9.5 million fee.Dike scored 11 goals in 65 appearances during five seasons with the Baggies despite battling a series of injuries.His return comes one week after Orlando traded American forward Duncan McGuire to the Houston Dynamo.During the MLS World Cup break, Orlando has also added French attacker and 2018 FIFA World Cup champion Antoine Griezmann while signing goalkeeper Tristan Himes and 17-year-old defender Clovis Archange to Homegrown Player contracts.
Daryl Dike is returning to Orlando City, the club announced Friday.
The American striker signed a contract through the 2027 MLS sprint season after spending five seasons with West Bromwich Albion of the English Championship.
“I’m thrilled to be back where it all started. Orlando is where I first got the opportunity to play professionally, and returning here feels like coming home,” Dike said in a statement. “From the moment I arrived the first time, I felt welcomed, and that same feeling has only grown since I’ve come back. Everyone has been incredibly supportive, and I’m grateful to be back in Orlando.”
Dike’s contract also includes a club option for the 2027/2028 season.
As part of the move, Orlando City sent $75,000 in 2027 General Allocation Money (GAM) to the Seattle Sounders in exchange for Dike’s Discovery Priority rights. The Lions could send an additional $75,000 in GAM if Dike meets certain performance-based incentives.
“Daryl is a player our club and our fans know well, and we’re very excited to welcome him back to Orlando,” Orlando City general manager and sporting director Ricardo Moreira said. “He brings a powerful combination of strength, speed and physical presence, and his ability to hold up play, bring teammates into the attack and finish chances gives us another important option up front. Daryl has already shown what he can do in our league and in this city, and we look forward to helping him make an impact again in purple.”
Dike, 26, spent two seasons with Orlando City after being selected with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft out of the University of Virginia.
He scored eight goals during his rookie season in 2020 before adding 11 goals in all competitions in 2021.
His breakout campaign earned him a loan move to English club Barnsley during the 2020-21 season, where he scored nine goals.
During that stretch, Dike also earned his first call-up to the U.S. men’s national team.
Following the 2021 MLS season, Orlando transferred Dike to West Bromwich Albion for a reported $9.5 million fee.
Dike scored 11 goals in 65 appearances during five seasons with the Baggies despite battling a series of injuries.
His return comes one week after Orlando traded American forward Duncan McGuire to the Houston Dynamo.
During the MLS World Cup break, Orlando has also added French attacker and 2018 FIFA World Cup champion Antoine Griezmann while signing goalkeeper Tristan Himes and 17-year-old defender Clovis Archange to Homegrown Player contracts.