Ipswich Town striker Freddie Ladapo joins Charlton Athletic on loan
Ipswich Town striker Freddie Ladapo has joined Charlton Athletic on loan for the remainder of the season.
The 30-year-old had found his game-time with the Blues limited this season, even in light of George Hirst’s recent injury, having started just two Sky Bet Championship games, coming off the bench 15 times and scoring twice. He has four goals in 22 appearances in all competitions, having netted twice in the Carabao Cup.
He joins a Charlton side, who sit 13th in the League One table ahead of playing at Burton Albion (3pm), whom his brother Tolu plays for and who also include fellow Blues loanee Panutche Camara. His contract contract at the Portman Road club is due to expire in June, 2025.
Ladapo, who joining Town from Rotherham in the summer of 2022, scored 21 times in all competitions as the Blues won promotion to the Championship during his first season in Suffolk.
Speaking to the Charlton club website, he said: “I’m really happy to be joining Charlton.
“I’m so excited to be here and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve during the rest of the season.”
Charlton head coach Michael Appleton said: “Freddie’s a massive goal threat who brings lots of quality.
“He’s a player who’s comfortable playing with his back to goal and running towards goal.
“He’s very quick, he’s athletic, he’s got a very good record at this level and he’s a really exciting signing. I think everyone is going to look forward to having him on board.”
The Addicks’ technical director Andy Scott said: “Freddie is someone we’ve been after for a long time. He’s got a proven record of scoring goals in this league and getting promotions.
“He’s been at Ipswich most recently and shown he can compete in the Championship as well. It’s a major coup to be able to bring in a player of his quality.”
Ladapo’s exit increases the need for the Blues to bring in a striker with Tottenham Hotspur loanee Dane Scarlett having also departed.
Reports have suggested Town have enquired about bringing back former player Kieffer Moore on loan from AFC Bournemouth, while a move for Blackburn frontman Sam Gallagher appears to have stalled.
Ipswich are not in action this weekend with the fixture away to Leicester City having been moved to Monday evening (8pm) for live coverage on Sky Sports.
Burns wins goal of the month
Meanwhile, Wes Burns was named the Sky Bet Championship Goal of the Month award for December yesterday for his spectacular outside-of-the-boot effort against Coventry which finished a fine team move.
