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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Ruled out in February 2024</li><li>Back in action 12 months later</li><li>Hopes fitness issues are over</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

‘Been a long year’ - USMNT star Daryl Dike reacts to West Brom return after 12 months out in Achilles injury nightmare

Championship

Leeds

West Bromwich

<p>The powerful frontman <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/usmnt-s-daryl-dike-returns-to-action-for-west-brom-after-suffering-achilles-tear-in-february-2024/bltb10ccc0ca6c2dd83" target="_blank">stepped off the bench in the Baggies’ 1-1 draw at Millwall</a>. He was given the final 15 minutes at The Den, with fitness having been built up steadily over recent weeks <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/usmnt-striker-daryl-dike-returns-training-west-brom/bltf3904971b23352db" target="_blank">in training and across U21 appearances</a>.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Dike has returned after <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/daryl-dike-west-brom-usmnt-injury-heartbreak-one-month-after-return-from-nine-month-setback/blt809916991fdebcb7" target="_blank">12 months stuck on the sidelines with an Achilles injury</a>. The 24-year-old has also endured hamstring and calf complaints during his time with West Brom, restricting him to just 33 appearances on the back of a 2022 transfer from MLS side Orlando City.</p><center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The heartwarming moment <a href="https://twitter.com/DarylDike?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DarylDike</a> returned to the football pitch. 🥹 <a href="https://t.co/OFhrgWAzZT">pic.twitter.com/OFhrgWAzZT</a></p>— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WBA/status/1891134759658479637?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2025</a></blockquote>
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THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>The hope is that fitness problems are finally being left in the past, allowing Dike to rediscover the kind of form that has allowed the Oklahoma native to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/daryl-dike-injury-usmnt--striker-luckless-west-brom/blt8fc920cf7a2d710a" target="_blank">win 10 senior caps for his country</a>. His last goal at club level was recorded on January 7, 2024.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Dike is pleased to be doing his day job again, posting on social media after returning to the West Brom fold under experienced coach Tony Mowbray: “Been long year without doing what I love. Lots of prayers and work has been put into this. Sooooo happy to be back playing.”</p><center><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Been a long year without doing what I love. So happy to be back playing again❤️😁 <a href="https://t.co/Bun8PulPCr">pic.twitter.com/Bun8PulPCr</a></p>— Daryl Dike (@DarylDike) <a href="https://twitter.com/DarylDike/status/1891078574976684231?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 16, 2025</a></blockquote>
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WHAT DARYL DIKE SAID

<p>Dike is a proven performer in the Championship, having helped Barnsley to the play-offs in 2020-21 while registering seven goals for the Baggies in 2022-23, and has rejoined a squad that sits sixth in the second-tier table as things stand.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

‘Been a long year’ - USMNT star Daryl Dike reacts to West Brom return after 12 months out in Achilles injury nightmare | Goal.com

Daryl Dike is delighted to be back in action at West Brom, with the injury-ravaged USMNT star admitting it has “been a long year”.

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