Another Akalite set to capture English football.
3 min read
It may not be far from the truth if anybody describes Umuaka community as a home of professional footballers. Just a couple of weeks ago, Umuaka Times was celebrating Onyekachi Durugbor, an international football superstar from Amiyi who emerged as the Umuaka Times Sports Personality of the Year 2020, little did the newspaper know that it was just the beginning of several successful football stories the newspaper would do in the nearest future concerning the great community called Umuaka.
A couple of weeks ago, a Nigerian footballer, Daryl Dike from Umuezeala Uba Umuaka, born and bred in the United States was involved in a football deal that saw the Orlando City top striker move from his club in the United States to the English Division 2 club Barnsley FC on a short term loan.
The news of this loan which went viral in the recent days was welcomed with fun and excitement by Dike and his club in the States as well as his new English club. A very prominent clause in the loan agreement states that his club, Orlando City FC retains the right to recall him with some specified reasons if the need arises.
Umuaka Times gathered that there is also an option to buy the Dike striker at the cost of $20 million if Barnsley FC wishes. Incase this option comes into play, Orlando will surely have access to up to 20 percent of the sale.
Shortly after the deal was made public, Umuaka Times called Engineer Bob Dike, an uncle of Daryl Dike to confirm the story. Engineer Dike did not only confirm the story but he went on to inform Umuaka Times that Daryl Dike has already relocated to the UK.
Shortly after the loan deal was sealed by the two major football clubs, Daryl Dike issued a press release where he thanked his former club and the new English club as well as others who worked out the deal.
“Orlando has helped me so much in my career in such a short time, and working together to provide this opportunity for me is just another example of that,” Dike said in the release. “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.”
As at press time last week and according to news reports monitored by Umuaka Times from www.maainland.com, Barnsley is rated 12th in the Championship on 36 points. This is 14 points adrift from a promotion slot and 13 points above relegation at the moment.
The 20 year old former Orlando City striker, Daryl Dike was in Nigeria (Umuaka) in December 2019 with his parents and siblings. He was also present the day the Dikes held a “national conference” in the country home of Chief Bob Dike. The events that took place during the conference were exclusively reported by Umuaka Times.
