3 days ago
Cavalry FC hopes defender Daan Klomp is the missing piece of the puzzle
Forge FC midfielder Noah Jensen (left) vies for the ball with Cavalry FC defender Daan Klomp in Hamilton on Oct. 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn
Daan Klomp is back, and Cavalry FC couldn't be any happier.
After helping the team win the league championship last year, the 27-year-old defender wanted to explore his options overseas.
He signed a contract with RAAL La Louvière in the Belgian pro league, but he says things just didn't work out.
'I explored my options a little bit after my contract (in Belgium) ran out on the first of July this year,' he said.
'Nothing interesting came up that was better than coming back here, so that explains my reasoning for being back here again.'
Happy to be back
Klomp says he's happy to be back in Calgary and wants to do whatever he can to help Cavalry get back to their winning ways.
Klomp is signed through 2027 and says it feels good.
'It feels like home, like I've said before, and I'm just happy to get back, start again, and get my fitness back and hopefully help the team win some more games.'
Perfect timing
The timing of bringing Klomp back couldn't be any better for Cavalry.
In their last four games, they have three losses and a draw.
Head coach Tommy Wheeldon Jr. says adding the two-time CPL defender of the year can only help.
'When you take Tom Brady out of the New England Patriots, things are different,' said Wheeldon.
He's the quarterback, and Daan has been very much over the past few seasons a very important part of the way we play with the ball, with or without it, and challenging for trophies, both individual and collective.'
Will he play this weekend?
The big question now is will Klomp be back in the lineup on Sunday against Vancouver FC?
Klomp says we'll have to wait and see.
'Like I said, it's been some time since I trained with a team, and we're about to see today (Friday) how it's going to happen and how I'm feeling.
'I'm looking at Tommy (Wheeldon Jr.) right now if I can be available for this weekend, but I'm excited to see what's coming.'
'We certainly didn't have him come to sit in the stands with the fans,' said Wheeldon.
'He'll be in the 18, whether that's in the 11 or coming in to finish. That will be decided over the next 48 hours.'
