Freddie Draper Explained

Freddie Draper
Fullname:Frederick Charles Draper[1]
Birth Place:Oxfordshire, England
Birth Date:2004 7, df=y[2]
Height:1.78m (05.84feet)
Position:Forward
Currentclub:Lincoln City
Clubnumber:34
Youthclubs1:Derby County
Youthclubs2:Lincoln City
Clubs1:Lincoln City
Years1:2021–
Caps1:25
Goals1:2
Years2:2022
Clubs2:Gainsborough Trinity (loan)
Caps2:8
Goals2:1
Years3:2023
Clubs3:Drogheda United (loan)
Caps3:21
Goals3:8
Years4:2023–2024
Clubs4:Walsall (loan)
Caps4:22
Goals4:10
Club-Update:16:01, 17 August 2024 (UTC)

Frederick Charles Draper (born 28 July 2004) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Lincoln City.

Club career

Lincoln City

Freddie Draper joined the Imps as a first-year scholar from Derby County.[3] He signed his first professional contract on his 17th birthday, signing a three-year deal.[4] He would make his Lincoln City debut against Sheffield Wednesday on 23 October 2021 coming off the bench to replace Anthony Scully.[5] On 11 February 2022, he would join Gainsborough Trinity on loan until the end of the season.[6] On 14 April 2022, he received his nomination for LFE Apprentice of the Season at the 2022 EFL Awards, joined by Deji Elerewe and Michael Williams[7] Following the end 2021–22 season, Draper would be named Lincoln City's Academy Player of the season at the end of season awards.[8]

The following season, Draper signed a new long-term contract at the club.[9] The following month he would score his first professional goal after coming off the bench against Newscastle United U21 in the EFL Trophy.[10]

He scored his first Lincoln City league goal against Reading on 6 April 2024 following the return from his loan spell at Walsall.[11]

Drogheda United (loan)

On 31 January 2023, he joined Drogheda United on loan for the season along with teammate Elicha Ahui.[12] He scored his first goal for the club in a 3-1 loss away to Bohemians on 6 March. On 16 March, he had his penalty saved in the Louth Derby against Dundalk which would have earned Drogheda a point, but he scored the equaliser in the reverse fixture on 28 April, which 10-man Drogheda went on to narrowly lose 3-2 in injury time.

Draper was nominated for the League of Ireland Player of the Month award in May,[13] scoring 4 goals throughout the month. These included his first home goal against Shelbourne, a brace in a 3-1 win over UCD,[14] and the first goal in a shock win away to league champions Shamrock Rovers. He continued his run of form into June, scoring his 7th and 8th goals of the season; 2 headers, as Drogheda fell to a 3-2 away defeat against Shelbourne. On 22 June 2023, Draper was named League of Ireland Player of the Month for the month of May 2023, becoming the first Drogheda United player to win the accolade since 2014, and the first teenager to claim the award since 1999.[15] His last appearance for the club saw him shown a straight red card in a 2-1 home loss to Dundalk.

On 26 June, It was confirmed that both Draper and Ahui would return to Lincoln City following the completion of their loan on 30 June.[16]

Walsall (loan)

On 7 July 2023, on signing a new long-term contract at Lincoln City, he joined Walsall on a season-long loan.[17] [18] He made his debut on 12 August 2023, following the conclusion of his suspension for Drogheda United, starting the game and getting an assist against Stockport County.[19] His first Walsall goal came in the first minute against Crewe Alexandra on 19 August 2023.[20] He scored his first career hat-trick against Newport County, scoring the third goal in the 96th minute to secure a 3–3 draw.[21] On 5 January 2024, Draper was recalled by Lincoln City having scored 10 goals and 3 assists in 23 matches.[22] [23]

Career statistics

ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Lincoln City2021–22League One8010000090
2022–23League One0010101131
2023–24League One152000000152
2024–25League One2000100030
Total252202011303
Gainsborough Trinity (loan)2021–22[24] Northern Premier League81000081
Drogheda United (loan)2023LOI Premier Division21810228
Walsall (loan)2023–24League Two221020001 02510
Career total76214020318522

Honours

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: EFL Squad List 2021/22. English Football League . 72 . 27 October 2021.
  2. News: F. Draper . Soccerway . 17 January 2023.
  3. Web site: Freddie Draper. Lincoln City F.C.. 25 October 2021.
  4. Web site: Birthday to remember as Freddie turns professional!. . 28 July 2021.
  5. Web site: How Freddie Draper 'earned the right' to make Lincoln City debut at Sheffield Wednesday. LincolnshireLive. 23 October 2021 . 23 October 2021.
  6. Web site: Draper joins Gainsborough on loan. Lincoln City FC . 11 February 2022.
  7. Web site: Freddie Draper nominated for LFE Apprentice of the Season. Lincoln City FC . 14 April 2022.
  8. Web site: Poole honoured at Awards. . 3 May 2022.
  9. Web site: Draper signs long-term contract. . 26 September 2021.
  10. Web site: Freddie Draper's Lincoln City aim after scoring first goal in Papa John's Trophy decider. LincolnshireLuve . 19 October 2021.
  11. Web site: Passionate Draper has real belief. . 6 April 2024.
  12. Web site: Imps duo join Drogheda. . 31 January 2023.
  13. Web site: League of Ireland on Twitter: "Congratulations to the six players nominated for this month's SSE Airtricity/SWI Player of the Month". twitter.com. 8 June 2023.
  14. Web site: Draper double helps Drogheda see off UCD. RTÉ. rte.ie. 26 May 2023.
  15. Web site: Drogheda's Draper named player of the month. 22 June 2023. www.rte.ie.
  16. Web site: Draper and Ahui to return to Lincoln. . 26 June 2023.
  17. Web site: New long-term deal for Freddie. Lincoln City F.C.. 7 July 2023.
  18. Web site: Walsall sign Lincoln's Draper on season-long loan. www.bbc.co.uk.
  19. Web site: Walsall 2-1 Stockport County. Walsall F.C.. 12 August 2023.
  20. Web site: Crewe Alexandra 2-2 Walsall. Walsall F.C.. 19 August 2023.
  21. Web site: Newport 3-3 Walsall. BBC. 20 October 2023.
  22. News: Draper recalled by the Imps. 5 January 2024. Lincoln City F.C.. 5 January 2024.
  23. Web site: Owner . Ryan Whelan- . 2024-01-01 . Exclusive: Lincoln City Make Decision Over Loanee's Future . 2024-01-12 . Look Sports Media . en-GB.
  24. Web site: Gainsborough Trinity – Appearances – Freddie Draper. 7 April 2022.
  25. Web site: 23 June 2023 . Drogheda United's Freddie Draper youngest this century to win Player of the Month award . Irish Independent.