Daryl Dike

BIOGRAPHY

Daryl Dike was born June 3, 2000, in Edmond, Oklahoma. He is a striker in Major League Soccer.

Born in Edmond, Oklahoma, Dike played soccer at Edmond North High School, captaining the side from his sophomore season onward. A three-time Oklahoma Offensive Player of the Year, he scored an Oklahoma 6A state record 70 goals and helped his team win a state championship. In 2018 he was named Gatorade Player of the Year for Oklahoma.

Dike played for OKC Energy U23 in the PDL during the 2018 season between high school and college soccer, making four appearances and scoring three goals.

Dike played college soccer for the University of Virginia and was selected in the first round (5th overall) of the 2020 MLS SuperDraft by Orlando having already signed a Generation Adidas contract. With MLS electing to change the annual Rookie of the Year award to Young Player of the Year in 2020, Dike was the highest-ranked rookie but came third in the voting behind five-year pro Diego Rossi and second-year pro Brenden Aaronson. 

On February 1, 2021, Dike joined EFL Championship club Barnsley on loan until the end of the 2020–21 season with a reported $20 million option to buy and 20% sell-on fee clause. Dike's loan expired on May 31 with Orlando City announcing in a statement the following day that Barnsley had elected not to trigger the release clause.

The youngest of five siblings, Dike's eldest brother, Bright Dike, was also a first round MLS Superdraft pick in 2010 and has played for the Nigerian national team. His sister, Courtney, was capped by Nigeria and made two appearances at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. He is the cousin of Nigeria international striker Emmanuel Emenike.