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‘Hefty Transfer Fee’: Top CPL Defender Daan Klomp Draws MLS Interest
By It’s no shock to see that the Canadian Premier League’s player of the year has picked up interest at levels beyond Canada’s top flight.
Having proven himself as a consistent and award-winning performer for Cavalry – who won the regular season title in Klomp’s third season there – the 25-year-old now reportedly has multiple MLS sides expressing direct interest in the defender.
2023 CPL Awards Roundup: Dutchman Klomp Does The Double
He’s also told Cavalry that he’d like to be sold in order to maximize his potential at a higher level, as per Voetbal International.
This moment is something he’s worked hard towards for some time now. In fact, we wrote about Klomp setting sights on the US league last year. Now, three years after he arrived to Canadian soil after NAC Breda opted to pass over a contract extension (he even considered leaving the pro game behind), he’s now thinking about what it’d be like to play in the same league as Lionel Messi.
“‘From playing at De Krommedijk to living in the Rocky Mountains. From an amateur career to playing against Messi. When I put it like that, it scares me a little,” he told Voetbal International. “I live in a dream, but I have more. Hopefully those will come true soon, too.”
With Klomp having won both the CPL’s defender of the year and its player of the year awards, the time seems ripe for a move. Having led the regular season champions in aerial duals won, clearances, blocks, and passes while also contributing four goals at the other end, the stats show he’s playing at a level beyond his current standing.
His Alberta-based club held a club option for 2024 which, in this context, it appears they’ve already activated. Why wouldn’t they? The club made history by producing the first ever CPL-to-MLS transfer, and have a consistent track record of smart selling with the likes of Aribim Pepple, Victor Loturi, and Goteh Ntignee all having been sold to European leagues.
Thus, they know what Klomp is worth, and they’ve valued him accordingly.
“They are asking a hefty transfer fee for me. A lot of money, with a one-year contract,” he said. “But I have an advantage, because I can apply for permanent resident status. That makes it interesting for [MLS] clubs, because then I count as Canadian.”
Beyond the higher level of play, another obvious draw with the MLS is for him to play with the proverbial goat of football itself. Even if he remains with Cavalry, that’s something that might be on the cards next year as the club has qualified for continental action with its regular season win.
“We are going to play in the Champions League in February. If we are lucky with the draw, we will play against Inter Miami. Can you imagine? Klomp against Lionel Messi? That would really be a dream. Then it will be fighting for his shirt,” he laughs.
To clarify, Inter Miami’s success in this year’s Leagues Cup means that Cavalry would need to progress to the Round of 16 to draw against them. It’ll mark Cavalry’s first foray into continental action, with league rivals Forge FC also set for the Champions Cup next year.
If he does get to suit up against Leo – whether in continental or MLS play, perchance – Klomp wouldn’t be the only CPL defensive product to turn going toe-to-toe with Messi into reality. Former Pacific defender Lukas MacNaughton did so this year for Nashville, and was part of the first MLS backline to keep the iconic Argentine off the scoresheet for a full match.
With Cavalry holding his contract and commanding a fee for his transfer, however, Klomp may just have to remain focused on life at Spruce Meadows for now.
“Unless something really great comes along, I will continue to focus on a career here,” he admits.
Whatever 2024 brings the Dutchman, the future looks bright.
Source: Voetbal International
Header Image Photo Credit: John Jacques