Dillan Solomons Explained

Dillan Solomons
Fullname:Dillan Peter Solomons
Birth Date:30 May 1996
Birth Place:Steenberg, Cape Town
Height:1.68 m
Position:Defender
Currentclub:Kaizer Chiefs
Clubnumber:18
Years1:2016–2017
Clubs1:Milano United
Caps1:23
Goals1:3
Years2:2017–2019
Clubs2:Royal Eagles
Caps2:45
Goals2:7
Years3:2019–2020
Clubs3:Stellenbosch
Caps3:3
Goals3:9
Years4:2020–2021
Clubs4:All Stars
Caps4:26
Goals4:4
Years5:2021–2022
Clubs5:Moroka Swallows
Caps5:22
Goals5:4
Years6:2022–
Clubs6:Kaizer Chiefs
Caps6:34
Goals6:1
Club-Update:30 June 2024

Dillan Solomons (born 30 May 1996) is a South African soccer player who plays as a defender for Kaizer Chiefs in the Premier Soccer League.

Career

He hails from Steenberg. As a young player he also participated in athletics, namely sprints, long jump and triple jump. According to IOL, he was "arguably ... the fastest player in the league" in 2022.[1] He recorded several placements between 5th and 8th at South African age-group championships, and finished 12th in the long jump at the 2016 South African Championships. Solomons managed to surpass the 7-metre barrier in the long jump by recording 7.06 metres in April 2016 in Germiston.

Solomons played one year for Milano United, then two years for Royal Eagles with whom he won promotion from the 2018-19 National First Division. Instead of contesting the 2019-20 South African Premier Division with the Royal Eagles, in July 2019 he moved to Stellenbosch[2] Seeing very limited playing time, Solomons moved back to the second tier with All Stars before he was bought by Moroka Swallows as a replacement for left winger Kgaogelo Sekgota.[3]

Solomons made his Premier Division breakthrough at Moroka Swallows.[4] Manager Dylan Kerr converted him to right wing-back.[5] Solomons was subsequently bought by Kaizer Chiefs in the summer of 2022.[1] Sinky Mnisi, who was the CEO of Royal AM, made a minor stir by claiming that Royal AM already had agreed to buy the player from Swallows.[6] [7] [8]

Solomons was a Kaizer Chiefs regular during late 2022, but then found himself more often on the bench and suffered a dislocated shoulder in January 2023.[9] During the 2023 - 24 season, he largely fell out of use. By March 2024 Solomons had not yet started a single game. Reeve Frosler and then Zitha Kwinika were preferred in the right back position.[10]

Personal life

Solomons had his first child in 2023.[11]

Notes and References

  1. News: Kaizer Chiefs newbie Dillan Solomons credits athletics for his speed and discipline. 1 August 2022. Baleka, Mihlali. IOL. 29 March 2024.
  2. Web site: We are very excited to welcome Dillan Solomons to the #stellenboschfc family. 2 July 2019. Stellenbosch FC. 29 March 2024.
  3. News: Swallows FC Kamaal Sait explains Dillon Solomons signing. 16 July 2021. Mlotha, Sipho. Kick Off. 29 March 2024.
  4. News: Solomons makes a giant leap from sandpits to soaring in the PSL. 19 September 2021. Mothowagae, Daniel. City Press. 29 March 2024.
  5. News: Swallows coach Kerr on Kaizer Chiefs' Solomons transfer: I took a gamble. 21 June 2022. Ditlhobolo, Austin. Goal. 29 March 2024.
  6. News: Mnisi – Chiefs Must Sign Solomons From Royal AM. 3 August 2022. iDiski Times. 29 March 2024.
  7. News: Chiefs Respond To Mnisi’s Solomons’ Claims. 4 August 2022. iDiski Times. 29 March 2024.
  8. News: Solomons Opens Up On Royal AM Debacle. 4 August 2022. Kohler, Lorenz. iDiski Times. 29 March 2024.
  9. News: Dillan Solomons says competition for places is a positive at Kaizer Chiefs. 19 February 2023. SABC Sport. 29 March 2024.
  10. News: Why Kwinika? Johnson explains selection over Frosler, Solomons. 6 March 2024. Mokhesi, Tokelo. FAR Post. 29 March 2024.
  11. News: Kaizer Chiefs star Dillan Solomons welcomes his firstborn baby. 2 June 2023. Nel, Hennely. SA People. 29 March 2024.