Freddie Ladapo
GOAL!! FREDDIE LADAPO! 3-2 to Ipswich from 2-0 down. #ITFC #CardiffCity pic.twitter.com/Sknjpoj5WH
— The Tractor Boys (@TTBITFC) September 2, 2023
I feel a bit dirty writing this, because part of me has always figured he’s a bit overrated, especially when fees of £500,000 started being thrown around, but as we’ve seen with James Collins, age is not a barrier to success in League One.
Ladapo is a forward whose career has taken him from non-league football to the Premier League and back through the EFL. After time in the youth systems at Southend United and Colchester United, he began his senior career with Colchester in 2011 and built his early experience through a series of non-league loans. A move to Kidderminster Harriers in January 2014 was followed by a prolific spell with Grays Athletic, which helped earn him a switch to Margate in January 2015 and then a rise to Crystal Palace in March 2016.
Ladapo gained further league minutes during loan spells with Oldham Athletic and Shrewsbury Town before returning to Southend United in January 2018. His career accelerated with Plymouth Argyle in 2018, Rotherham United in June 2019 and Ipswich Town in May 2022, contributing to multiple promotions. He later spent time with Charlton Athletic and joined Huddersfield Town in September 2024.