The Lions picked him in the MLS SuperDraft in 2020. After English Football League seasoning, this striker comes back ready to finish out the 2026 season.
2020 SuperDraft pick Daryl Dike, fifth overall, honed his skills during the past five seasons with West Bromwich Albion FC in England’s EFL Championship. He now returns to Orlando City SC. He wears no. 9.
For West Bromwich Albion, the forward scored 43 goals and nine assists in 138 appearances. Before departing Orlando, he posted 19 goals and seven assists for the Lions. In the 2021 season, he led the team with 11 goals across all competitions.
He also joined in international duty with the U.S. Men’s National Team. He scored three goals to help the squad win the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup.
The free agent striker is signed through the 2027 season with an option for 2027-28. The Lions sent $75,000 in 2027 General Allocation Money to the Seattle Sounders for Dike’s Discovery Priority. If he plays as well as scouts think he will, the Sounders will get an additional $75,000 for performance-based metrics.
That scouting report says to expect Dike to get in close for headed attempts. He’s strong on long shots, taking set pieces, and finishing. Coaches will want to drill him on passing and contributing to defense.
He likes to play long balls and has a mind for layoffs and flick-on headers.
He suffered five major injury setbacks during his time with Albion and finished with just 25 starts. In his parting letter to fans, he praised fans for sticking by him as he recovered from each injury and recognized that their support never wavered.
The Lions staff will work to keep Dike healthy and productive through the rest of the 2026 season. He joins the squad shortly after the departure of Duncan McGuire to the Houston Dynamo.
During the World Cup break, Orlando also added French and 2018 World Cup champion Antoine Griezmann. They signed goalkeeper Tristan Hime and defender Clovis Archange to Homegrown Player contracts.
Now Orlando City SC gets serious. The rest of this season won’t be easy.
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