Dag & Red sign ex-West Ham, Crystal Palace, Coventry, Colchester, Ipswich, Scunthorpe player

Dag & Red sign ex-West Ham, Crystal Palace, Coventry, Colchester, Ipswich, Scunthorpe player Freddie Sears, with the move surprising fans.

He began his career with his local club West Ham United at the age of 11, progressing through the West Ham United Academy and made a scoring first-team debut in March 2008 when he netted the winner against Blackburn Rovers after coming on as a second-half sub.

Sears made over 50 first-team appearances for West Ham, but never held down a regular starting position, going on to endure loan spells with the likes of Crystal Palace, Coventry City and Scunthorpe United, before joining Colchester United for the latter half of the 2011–12 season.

He netted twice in 11 appearances for the U’s, prompting the club to sign him on a permanent basis from the Hammers in July 2012 and after joining them, Sears rediscovered his scoring form, netting 34 goals in 99 games in his two-and-a-half year stay before departing for Ipswich. Sears has also represented England at under-19, under-20 and under-21 levels.

He headed back to Colchester in 2021, and in his two year stay with them, he netted 16 goals in 76 games, before leaving in September 2023 for National League outfit Dagenham & Redbridge, making his debut for them the day of his announcement, coming on as a sub in a 0-0 draw at Halifax.

Welcome to Dagenham & Redbridge, Freddie Sears ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/Le52nk8FlT

— Dagenham & Redbridge ⚔️ (@Dag_RedFC) September 26, 2023

CLUB STATEMENT:

Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club are delighted to confirm that Freddie Sears has joined the Club until the end of the season.

The 33-year-old striker is the latest addition to Ben Strevens’ squad.

Sears started his career with his local club West Ham United at the age of eleven, progressing through the West Ham United Academy. He made a scoring first-team debut in March 2008 when he netted the winner against Blackburn Rovers after coming on as a second-half substitute.

Freddie had loan spells with Crystal Palace, Coventry City and Scunthorpe United, before joining Colchester United for the latter half of the 2011–12 season. He scored two goals in 11 appearances for the U’s, prompting the club to sign him on a permanent basis from the Hammers in July 2012. After joining the Essex club, Sears rediscovered his scoring form, scoring 34 goals in 99 games in his two-and-a-half year stay before departing for Ipswich.

Freddie went on to make over 200 appearances for Ipswich and was released in June 2021, as he decided to return to Colchester United.

Sears will wear the number 24 with the Daggers.

Welcome to Daggers, Freddie!

HIS CAREER:

Senior career
2008–2012 – West Ham United – 58 games (3 goals)
2009 → Crystal Palace (loan) – 19 games (0 goals)
2010 → Coventry City (loan) – 10 games (0 goals)
2010–2011 → Scunthorpe United (loan) – 9 games (0 goals)
2011–2012 → Colchester United (loan) – 11 (games 2 goals)
2012–2015 – Colchester United – 109 games (36 goals)
2015–2021 – Ipswich Town – 218 games (34 goals)
2021–2023 – Colchester United – 76 games (19 goals)
2023– Dagenham & Redbridge – 1 games (0 goals)

International career
2008 – England U19 – 8 games (3 goals)
2009 – England U20 – 1 game (0 goals)
2009 – England U21 – 3 games (1 goal)

Here’s how Twitter users reacted as Dag & Red sign the ex-West Ham, Crystal Palace, Coventry, Colchester, Ipswich, Scunthorpe player…

@malachi21328432: Good luck Freddie keep the ball on the floor and he will score a lot of goals

@DJS97_: Was at Upton Park when he scored on his debut, seeing this makes me feel old.

@John_GR63: Keep the ball on the floor for him and he’ll play well for you. If all you do is hoof it he’ll struggle Best of luck freddie

@daniel_treharne: Wish him the best. Always followed his career after leaving West Ham.

@CooperFectWHUFC: The one player I wish we kept

@DRFCashley: Finally a bloke who knows how the put the ball in the net.

@3Mutley: A blast from the past , good luck Freddie .

@LiamK1998_: Brilliant signing that I remember his time at Ipswich Town very well

@rhiannacufcx: If your playing hoof ball or similar hes going to be awful for you but if you play football more passing tactics hes going to good for you 👍🏻

@Adam12370765: Good luck Freddie

@gingerrtom: Freddie Sears looking this old makes me feel equally as old.💀🤣

@E20WHU: Blimey i remember his first goal for west ham.

@LeonH1983: Fuck me I feel old now

@DubaiHammers: Good luck Freddie

@WestHamArchive: That’s a way to make you feel old. Remember him coming through as the boy wonder

@leeroy_acko1: No way he’s still playing! Quality!!!

@piratesmurf24: Still miss Freddie #itfc

@NOTBENTEKESZN: Jesus I remember his ghost goal

@ben_yfd: We finally have a striker. I don’t believe my eyes

@Tony_White1: Jeez Freddie Sears at the Daggers!