Cavalry Star Daan Klomp Set For New Adventure

Canadian Premier League defender Daan Klomp has left a hefty mark on Canada’s top flight: winning the league with Cavalry last year, he claimed back-to-back defender of the year awards as he finished the most recent campaign on six goals and first place league-wide for blocks and took the league’s MVP award in 2023.

The defender has now gone out of contract in Calgary and is keeping his fitness levels up with former side NAC Breda as he prepares for a new adventure beyond the Canadian border, ending his time with Cavalry after four strong seasons.

While the 26-year-old has attracted Major League Soccer interest over the last four years with Cavalry, a hefty asking price may have stopped such a move from taking place while he was still under contract with the Canadian champions.

His time in Calgary saw him make 121 appearances overall under head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr, where he was a fast and physical presence on a tightknit backline who also proved potent at the other end, racking up some 17 goals and five assists for Cavalry.

Klomp has long said he wished to maximize his potential at a higher level, telling Voetbal International such as far back as two years ago. As the first-ever defender to win back-to-back defender of the year titles, we’ve heard there was no shortage of interest in Cavalry’s Flying Dutchman.

The club had also offered to extend his contract, with Klomp opting to pursue opportunities elsewhere.

Klomp is currently training with the reserves of his former side. He had made nine appearances for the club during a stint in the top flight, and had also been loaned out to FC Oss and Helmond Sport during his time playing in the Netherlands.

With Klomp having a strong evolution as he led the the backline over in Canada, Cavalry enjoyed the least goals against out of any club in 2024, with goalkeeper Marco Carducci leading the league for clean sheets but missing out on a golden glove nomination, likely because he wasn’t left with enough to do.

The reigning champions could have some big pieces to replace as they march in to 2025, with star player Ali Musse having also run out of contract. While Klomp’s next steps are unknown, they are not expected to take place in Canada.

Header Image Photo Credit: John Jacques