Toronto FC has re-signed forward Bright Dike, the Major League Soccer club confirmed on Friday.
Dike, 27, was out of contract with the Reds, and when he opted out of Friday’s MLS re-entry draft it was believed the Nigerian international was set to explore his options outside of the league.
Instead, he inked a new deal with the Canadian club.
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Acquired by Toronto FC in a trade with the Portland Timbers last September, Dike was one of the few bright spots in what was a fruitless 2013 campaign by the Reds. Dike only scored one goal in seven appearances, but he won plaudits for his physical style and his ability to hold up the ball and bring teammates into the play.
2014 was destined to be his year. He was on Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi’s radar, and was expected to be named to the Super Eagle’s 23-man roster for this past summer’s World Cup in Brazil. He also figured to feature prominently for Toronto FC in MLS.
Instead, his life was turned upside down when he suffered a torn Achilles during a TFC pre-season training session in February. It was a devastating and cruel blow for Dike who twice suffered a torn ACL while a member of the Timbers.
He went through an exhaustive rehab and ended up making his return on Aug. 16. In total, Dike made two appearances for Toronto in 2014.
Although born in Oklahoma, Dike made his international debut for Nigeria in a friendly against Venezuela in November, 2012. Late last year, he scored his first goal for the Super Eagles in a friendly against Italy at Fulham’s Craven Cottage. He is eligible to play for the African nation because both of his parents were born in Nigeria.
A product of Notre Dame, Dike was selected in the first round (12th overall) of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft by the Columbus Crew. However, after training with the club in pre-season he did not make the squad and was released. He ended up signing with Portland.
