'Super-happy' Daryl Dike could make his Barnsley FC debut on Saturday

The Orlando City forward has joined the Reds on loan for the rest of the season and started an eventful week by making his international debut for the USA national team against Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday.

It had a knock-on effect for Barnsley, who were able to make a late move for the 20-year-old after his US bow enabled him to meet immigration criteria to head to England.

Dike arrived on Wednesday and if all goes well, he could be in the squad this weekend.

Dike said: “My agent brought up the idea and I was super-happy. It was a little bit before I went to the national team camp and a little bit before the match, so I was trying to focus on the match as well. I had a lot of things going on.

“But I was ecstatic to get the information (about Barnsley).

“When you are young in America, all you see is English football every day and you wake up on Saturday and Sunday morning and it is on TV. It is your DNA and you dream about playing in English football.

“It feels good to see the facilities and all the guys and staff

“You can tell the culture and history is embedded in the club and it is good to be part of that.”

On the prospect of potential long-term move to the club if all goes well, Dike commented: “I do everything step by step, day by day and when the time comes to make that decision, I will make it then. Right now, I am kind of living in the moment.”

Meanwhile, Reds head coach Valerien Ismael has professed his delight at adding Dike to his list of striking options, while expressing his relief that the transfer window is now finally closed.

Ismael said: “For us, it was a big surprise that we got a big talent on the American market and it was a big opportunity for us and a name among our list.

“For sure, it was special thinking to get him and now I am very delighted he is here. It will give us another possibility up front and another kind of player.

“It will bring us more physicality, speed and strength in the front three.”

On his chances of making his debut on Saturday, he continued: “He needed a negative (Covid) result to come to England and got one and had another test yesterday (Wednesday) and I think everything is clear on this.

“We have to wait for the result from the squad, but if everything goes alright, he can be available.

Ismael also confirmed that the club turned down a bid for one of their leading players just before the transfer window deadline.

He added: “I am now overjoyed that this window is closed now. But not only because of the ins, but outs.

“Until the last second, we rejected a bid from one of our players and needed to fight to keep our players. The good thing is all our players wanted to stay and it is a great feeling.”