Powers says winning promotion was surreal deal during lockdown

Playing with Brazilian legend Kaka was surreal.

But winning the title during a global pandemic and celebrating with team-mates on a video call? That topped the lot for Dillon Powers.

The Dundee United midfielder is still coming to terms with the fact that he’s a champion and gearing up for the Premiership next term.

Their Championship success was confirmed by the SPFL last week after the Covid-19 crisis ended the season prematurely.

Powers only has his wife for company in Dundee, with his parents and family back home in Texas and Kansas City.

But he enjoyed a beer with United pals on Zoom to toast their trophy win and is now ready for a crack at the big boys whenever the new campaign kicks off.

The 29-year-old was once Rookie of the Year in the MLS and during his time at Orlando City he shared a pitch with superstar Kaka. Sometimes he’d just watch in awe as the AC Milan icon strutted his stuff.

Initially it felt absurd to be in midfield alongside him – but not nearly as strange as this latest achievement at Tannadice.

Powers said: “When you talk about surreal experiences in my career, playing with Kaka was one.

“You get desensitised to it over time – but there were days when you’d catch yourself just watching him train or play.

“He was a great person and had so much quality. It was so much fun just to watch him work.

“In terms of humility, Kaka was such a great guy who cared about the team.

“Everyone knows he was a top player but we got an insight into Kaka the man and I was surprised by how humble he was.

“He was so patient with people and tried to help whenever he could.

“But of all the achievements in my career so far, winning the title this way has to be the most surreal.

“It tops the l ist because of everything that has gone down. It has been very disorientating.

“As a player, you’re always either in season or off season. You organise your life around that.

“Being away from all of that has been very strange and to win a championship during that time is even stranger.

“It’s super- exciting to get it done but a real surreal way to do it.

“I sti l l rate the achievement because I came here with one aim – to get Dundee United promoted – and it has happened.

“When it was announced, it was about connecting with my team-mates. It would have been nice to lift the trophy in person. But at