Under-the-Radar 010 - Miguel Freckleton

It was February 2023 when I first set eyes on Miguel Freckleton, on loan at Wealdstone in the National League, a part-time club then managed by Stuart Maynard, his side were playing promotion candidates Chesterfield off the park, during a 1-1 draw which the Shots should have won.

Freckleton was nineteen, on loan from Sheffield United, he played centre half and oozed class with time on the ball, perfectly aligned with the Maynard style passing game which he later took with him to the likes of Notts County and York City.

After his loan spell at Grosvenor Vale (15 games 1 goal), Freckleton played eight times for Yeovil Town in another loan spell before returning to Sheffield United in the summer of 2023, where Chesterfield would come knocking, obviously impressed by that previous performance at the Technique Stadium four months earlier.

Chesterfield had failed in their bid for promotion the previous campaign under Paul Cook, but were successful during the 23/24 season and playing his part over 16 league matches on loan was Freckleton, before being loaned out again by his parent club to Swindon Town in League Two, a move to step up in levels and improve progress.

Freckleton played well (32 apps 1 goal) before injury halted the back end of his season, but not well enough for Sheffield United to retain his services, instead he joined St Mirren in Scotland on a two-year-deal for a six figure fee, he played 47 times scoring 4 goals last season which tempted surprise Austrian Bundesliga champions LASK to sign the Englishman on a three year deal, since, he has made his league, cup and Champions League debuts for the club, and is at the start of a very exciting journey.

Quick Stats:

• DOB: 6 August 2003 (Bristol)

• Height: 6ft4in (1.93m)

• Foot: L

• Position: Centre Back

• Club: LASK (since 2026)

• Previous: Mangotsfield United (2020-21), Sheffield United (2021-25), Wealdstone (2022-23) loan, Yeovil Town (2023) loan, Chesterfield (2023-24) loan, Swindon Town (2024-25) loan, St Mirren (2025-26)

Attributes…

A prospect at Bristol Rovers Academy before being released at 18, Freckleton then played in the Southern League Division One South for Mangotsfield United on the outskirts of Bristol, which alerted Sheffield United to take a punt on the promising young defender.

His non-league schooling added to the Academy upbringing gives Freckleton a balanced perspective in the way he plays, he reads the game exceptionally well and is calm under pressure, is easy on the eye and comfortable on the ball, but has the tools to graft and play percentages, a good left foot to clear his lines (or better still pick out a pass) he’s also good in the air, at 6ft4in he has six career goals to date and is a threat from set plays.

Arguably the best attribute Freckleton possesses however is versatility, he can play centre half but has the calmness and assurance to play as a holding midfielder in front of a back four if indeed requested, or can even play as a left sided defender, as a natural left back, or indeed as a left wing back, as he did late on during his Champions League debut for LASK verses Celtic.

How Does He Fit In?

Still yet to make his first competitive start for Dietmar Kuhbauer’s reigning champions, Freckleton played a minute off the bench in the clubs second league match of the season, a 2-0 win over Austria Vienna, as a centre half, and last night he came on during extra time in a 5-1 win over Celtic to help the Austrians through to qualifying for the Champions League for the very first time in their history.

In that 21 minute cameo, Freckleton came on as a left sided defender and made 14 out of 15 passes with key contributions in the opponents half of the field, foraging down the flank on a number of occasions with good feet and inventive ball playing whilst also creating goalscoring chances to wrap up the match (one of his passes led to a late penalty which was missed by star striker Samuel Adeniran).

Perhaps more often than not used as a late sub or in squad rotation, if Freckleton is to break into the LASK line-up, it might be as a left sided centre back in a three man defence. The side often play a 3-5-2 with USA international George Bello operating as left wing back, Freckleton could often be used later in games to sit behind Bello and protect leads, as he did during extra time verses Celtic.

Form & Future…

Freckleton might have to wait and bide his time to break through into the LASK starting XI but at 23 he still has plenty of time on his side, and with a full league, cup and Champions League campaign to get through, I’m sure they’ll be many opportunities for the versatile defender to get involved.

A player who last year made his breakthrough at the top level in Scotland, who the year before was playing fifth and fourth tier in England, a player who has been as low as the eighth tier in the English game, will now get to showcase his skills, on the biggest club stage of all.

Playing in the Champions League, should he get the opportunity, will cast new eyes on Miguel Freckleton to see how he can cut it amongst the best, should one or two performances stand out, a big move back to England, could one day, be on the cards?

theHEADscout.

I’m a sports DATA Analyst and PFSA associate scout with level two qualifications in talent identification and level one certificates in technical scouting & opposition analysis.