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Frederick Charles Draper (born 28th July 2004) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Walsall on loan from Lincoln City.
Club career
Lincoln City
Freddie Draper joined the Imps as a first-year scholar from Derby County. He signed his first professional contract on his 17th birthday, signing a three-year deal. He would make his Lincoln City debut against Sheffield Wednesday on 23 October 2021 coming off the bench to replace Anthony Scully. On 11 February 2022, he would join Gainsborough Trinity on loan until the end of the season. 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 Following the end 2021-22 season, Draper would be named Lincoln City's Academy Player of the season at the end of season awards.
The following season, Draper signed a new long-term contract at the club. The following month he would score his first professional goal after coming off the bench against Newscastle United U21 in the EFL Trophy.
Drogheda United (loan)
On 31 January 2023, he joined Drogheda United on loan for the season along with teammate Elicha Ahui. 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, scoring 4 goals throughout the month. These included his first home goal against Shelbourne, a brace in a 3-1 win over UCD, 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. 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.
Walsall (loan)
On 7 July 2023, on signing a new long-term contract at Lincoln City, he joined Walsall on a season-long loan. 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. His first Walsall goal came in the first minute against Crewe Alexandra on 19 August 2023. He scored his first career hat-trick against Newport County, scoring the third goal in the 96th minute to rescue a point.
Career statistics
- As of match played on 28 November 2023
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Lincoln City | 2021–22 | League One | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| 2022–23 | League One | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2023–24 | League One | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 1 | ||
| Gainsborough Trinity (loan) | 2021–22 | Northern Premier League | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | |
| Drogheda United (loan) | 2023 | LOI Premier Division | 21 | 8 | – | – | 1 | 0 | 22 | 8 | ||
| Walsall (loan) | 2023–24 | League Two | 15 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 8 |
| Career total | 52 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 58 | 18 | ||