Town have announced the signing of former Rotherham striker Freddie Ladapo on a three-year deal once his Millers deal is up at the end of June.

Adding firepower to the squad has been high on the Blues' priorities during the close season with Kieran McKenna’s side having been unable to turn dominant displays into goals on a number of occasions during 2021/22.

“I’ve had a long day doing paperwork, the medical and meeting people, but I am so pleased to have signed here,” Ladapo told iFollow Ipswich.

“Everyone has been so good to me already and shown me around the training ground and stadium.

“The chance to come and play for this club, with the history and fanbase it has, is brilliant for me. I am buzzing.

“The manager has plans and goals here, and this feels like the perfect fit for me.”

Manager McKenna said: “We are really happy to have secured Freddie’s services.

“He is a proven goalscorer at this level but beyond that he brings qualities to the side that we think will be important for us.

“Freddie has a good physical stature, the ability to run beyond the defence, and is good in one-on-one situations. He’s a signing that we think can be really important for us.”

Ladapo, 29, was a youth player with Southend and Colchester before making his first league appearances with the U’s in 2012/13 and spent stints on loan at Thurrock, Chelmsford, Bishop Stortford, Woking and Nuneaton while with the North Essex side.

Spells with Kidderminster, Hayes & Yeading (loan), Grays (loan) and Margate followed before a big move to Premier League Crystal Palace in March 2016.

The 6ft 2in tall striker joined Oldham and then Shrewsbury on loan and left the Eagles in January 2018 having made only two senior sub appearances to join Southend.

Six months later, he moved on to Plymouth, before he signed for Rotherham for a reported £500,000 in the summer of 2019, the South Yorkshire club’s record signing.

Romford-born Ladapo scored 41 goals in 78 starts and 45 sub appearances in his three years with the Millers, 17 in his first in League One, nine in the Championship and 15 in League One last season.

He was a member of the team which won the Papa John's Trophy by beating Sutton United 4-2 after extra-time at Wembley in April.

In January, Rotherham announced that Ladapo had handed in a transfer request with Sheffield Wednesday having shown interest.

A fortnight ago, the Millers announced that they had released the striker despite having an option to keep him for a further season having left him out of their final three games of their promotion campaign.

Ladapo becomes Town’s first signing of the summer and manager McKenna’s first permanent senior recruit since he took over at Portman Road in December.

Photos: ITFC

Powrigan added 21:17 - May 30 Not convinced he is the answer, but am happy to be proved wrong.
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KiwiTractor added 21:29 - May 30 Welcome Freddie "manager McKenna's first permanent senior recruit since he took over at Portman Road in December" - didn't KM sign Christian Walton as a permanent in Jan?
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Nobbysnuts added 21:40 - May 30 Sorry but very uninspiring.......doesn't get my jizz going.
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Help added 22:12 - May 30 Seems to me to score a few different types of goals. Headers. Tap in. shoots on sight. Step overs. I think special K is getting in players with different qualities to give the team options and make other managers think hard about who and how we will play.
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brendenward35 added 22:18 - May 30 This guy is very talented scores with both feet great at heading and powerful a real handful for defenders. Him and a fit Jackson will cause problems for any team with their pace. Could be a good partnership there. Team needs tweaking and strengthening and this guy fits the bill. We'll done to McKenna and Ashton getting this sorted quickly
4

TimmyH added 23:06 - May 30 Hopefully this is the physical striker we need, scored 11 from 31 league appearances last season but contributes as well from what I've heard...wouldn't mind getting a forward loanee from Man U with Mck's links as well. Best of luck Freddie!
4

gixxeral added 23:42 - May 30 He's a 6 yard box poacher. The type we didn't have and he didn't warrent a transfer fee. He may not be nailed on to start for us as he was available on a good deal but will improve the squad.
1

Europablue added 07:07 - May 31 ArnieM Isn't having to live in Rotherham enough to want away?!
5

Steelmonkey added 07:51 - May 31 Seems to have a great left foot, that should help balance out the side and he looks to be confident enough to take on players and not afraid to take the responsibility to shoot from outside the box. I hope you have an excellent time with us Freddie.
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grumpyoldman added 08:03 - May 31 So we sign a player and people who have a better football knowledge than those in charge of the recruitment at ITFC right him off. I for one will give him my full support until he let's us down.
4

martin587 added 08:07 - May 31 We need a powerful man up front.Let's give the guy a chance he may not have been prolific elsewhere but we have the manager and players capable to work with him and hopefully get a bagful of goals.I feel confident he will do well.I always ignore what other clubs say about departing players.
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Guthrum added 09:01 - May 31 A lot of the "tap-ins" are in the action following CORNERS, a situation where we desperately need someone who knows how to put the ball in the net. Most of the rest, particularly those on the Plymouth reel, are far from "tap-ins".
2

Kickingblock added 09:13 - May 31 Hopefully he'll settle in quickly and be ready to rumble. He's from this part of the country, so his friends and family aren't too far away, that could be why he's happy to join a club in this area. If he's happy here, were bound to see a different player.
1

Ipswichbusiness added 09:13 - May 31 He has a good goal scoring record, but it concerns me that he wanted out of Rotherham in the middle of a successful promotion campaign. I hope that he isn't bringing an attitude with him.
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blues1 added 09:29 - May 31 ArnieM. He'd asked for a transfer in January. Apparently had a falling out with the manager, from what I can gather. Haven't heard what it was about mind you.
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blues1 added 09:36 - May 31 Nobbysnuts. And who were you hoping we'd sign when in lge1? Cavani, Kane, Salah? Ladapo is a good player, and was wanted by championship clubs, but has chosen to come here. Our fans are amazing. How many times have fans written off players before they've kicked a ball only for that player to prove what a good signing they were? Conversely, fans have lauded players as great signings and theyve turned out to be rubbish. Im sure we've all done it at some point, so why don't we just give the guy a chance before slagging him off.

2

popeitfc added 10:00 - May 31 Why are people so hung up over his "attitude". When bakinson signed, Nigel Pearson couldn't wait for him to leave with his bad attitude but mckenna was able to get the best out of him when he was given his opportunity. Maybe mckenna knows how to deal with these players, he did coach the likes of pogba, rashford, Bruno. Freddie show Ipswich why we signed you!
2

BlueRuin69 added 10:05 - May 31 Haha some on here clueless. Plays every game for a team who got promoted yet not good enough for 10th placed town. Clear upgrade and he wanted to leave Rotherham! Coyb!
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Razor added 10:11 - May 31 Crikey this is a smart piece of quick business as I am sure many other clubs fancied this guy--have ti0o say thought it was Matt Smith we would be getting from Rotherham. Get Twine in now who will onviuosly cost us loads but lokking at gates last year and season ticket sales should not be a problem.
1

Linkboy13 added 10:43 - May 31 This is a short term signing to get us out of league one even though he's signed a three year deal. I don't think we will get out of this league playing possession football this will give us another option . Still think we will sign another striker. It's vitally important we get players signed before the season starts.
4

Nobbysnuts added 12:46 - May 31 Blues1...we've been here before with piggott and look how that turned out....we might of well of stuck a fence post up front.....
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Wooly74 added 13:06 - May 31 More ridiculous comments on here 🤦‍♂️ Ffs give the guy a chance and as for Gforce who stated I bet he scores more goals than the last Freddie 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ Get a grip
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buckleshamblue60 added 15:36 - May 31 Good to see that he scores with his left and right foot and headers too. Looks to have skill, strength and pace as well. I'd be interested to know why he put in the transfer request at Rotherham - a style of play issue possibly? Seems like he could be a good signing. The very best of luck Freddie. COYB.
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blues1 added 16:00 - May 31 Nobbysnuts. Piggott hardly played, thats why he didn't perform to his best this season. You csnt find ur form if u dont get a run of games
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dirtydingusmagee added 09:27 - Jun 2 Looks very sharp in the vids, and has quick feet, im looking forward to seeing him in a Town shirt. Welcome to Town Freddie, .
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