Walsall loanee Freddie Draper credits Drogheda United for career progression

Draper has not played a single minute in League Two for Lincoln last season prior to joining Drogheda on loan during the second half of the campaign. He scored eight times for the Irish outfit, who Walsall are set to purchase a 100 per cent stake in.

The 19-year-old has made a stellar start to his Saddlers spell as he extended his season tally to eight with a first career hat-trick in the 3-3 draw at Newport last Friday.

And Draper has thanked Drogheda for helping get his career back on track.

“It kick-started my career again. The manager showed me a lot of faith and played me even when I wasn’t scoring,” Draper said.

“I can’t thank Drogheda enough. The fans are brilliant, the set-up is great and I am so delighted for them. They deserve to have Trivela for owners because they are the best fans and club in that division.”