Chesterfield move swiftly to sign ex-Huddersfield Town, Rotherham United and Ipswich Town man Freddie Ladapo
Freddie Ladapo has sealed a return to the EFL following his Huddersfield Town exit.
The 32-year-old secured promotion from League One twice as a Rotherham United player before joining Ipswich Town in 2022.
After two years with the Tractor Boys, he returned to Yorkshire with a move to Huddersfield in the summer of 2024.
He arrived with an impressive CV but the frontman struggled to get going in West Yorkshire.
His contract was ended by mutual consent in September and Ladapo has now been picked up by Chesterfield on a free transfer. He had been training with the Spireites as a free agent prior to the opening of the window.
Freddie Ladapo on Chesterfield move
After putting pen to paper on a deal running until the end of the season, he said: “It feels fantastic. It’s something that’s been a while coming. I’ve been training with the team for a little while now, so I’m glad that it’s over the line.”
“I’m an athletic striker with a keen eye for goal. But it has been a strength of mine for a number of years.
“I’ve been able to stretch defences. I’ve been able to hold the ball up and I’ve been able to score a few goals in my career. So hopefully that’s something I can bring towards it.”
Ladapo has been parachuted into a promotion push, with Chesterfield sat seventh in the League Two table.
He could make his debut today (January 1), when Chesterfield make a New Year’s Day trip to Oldham Athletic.
Coach’s verdict
Speaking about the forward last month, Chesterfield first-team coach Gary Roberts said: “He is a really good player. He is enjoying it, doesn’t miss a session, and he looks in really good shape. He has trained so well and it is nice to have him in.
"If anything happens it will be in January. I think we would like to keep him. Can he help us? 100 per cent.
“There will be a lot of teams after him but I think we will speak to him towards the start of the window. I have played against him a couple of times. He is a really good footballer. He trains hard everyday and he is a really good person.”