When Freddie Ladapo entered the fray at Old Trafford to make his Premier League debut last weekend, it marked the latest instalment of his remarkable rise to the top.

His senior league bow as a late substitute for Crystal Palace in their 4-0 defeat at Manchester United was undoubtedly a milestone moment for the striker, deemed surplus to requirements by Colchester United more than three-and-a-half years ago.

Ladapo emerged through the U’s academy but was released in 2014 after just making just six first-team appearances.

Now after climbing his way up the non-league pyramid, the 24-year-old finds himself playing under former England boss Roy Hodgson at Selhurst Park, looking to make the most of his golden opportunity within the injury-hit Palace squad.

Digital Football Writer Mark Ritson, who covered Crystal Palace when Ladapo joined them in March 2016 on a two-and-a-half year contract, believes the forward offers the Eagles something that they do not have.

He said: “Freddie’s move to Palace from Margate was a fairly big shock to everyone at the time.

“He had done well in the Conference South but a step up to a Premier League club? It certainly drew raised eyebrows.

“It was always going to be playing for the club’s U23 development squad and he’s done that here and there for the past 18 months, learning the game at this level and gaining experience out in the Football League.

“He impressed initially in a pre-season game against AFC Wimbledon in July 2016 but he didn’t really show further promise.

“Going out on loan to League One with Oldham and Shrewsbury were good moves for his development again at senior level.

“He did OK but scored just six goals in around 30 appearances. Not exactly the return we may have expected. Now, all of a sudden he finds himself as Palace’s only natural striker - but he has no experience in the top flight and he’s not prolific enough.

“I do, however, think he will offer a presence in attack.

“He will run the channels and put effort in but he needs someone up there with him to help, something that Palace don’t have at the moment.”

During his time within Colchester’s youth set-up, Ladapo was often touted as a hot prospect; his potential was never doubted.

In August 2010, he caught the eye when he came off the bench to score twice in the U’s 2-1 win over Hornchurch in the Essex Senior Cup Final.

His powerful style, along with his goals, caught the eye of U’s fans and he signed his professional deal there in 2012, with Joe Dunne handing him his senior U’s debut later that calendar year.

But after that, he was farmed out on loan to non-league clubs on a frequent basis and spells at the likes of Chelmsford, Bishop’s Stortford and Woking followed.

And although Ladapo was on the fringes of Colchester’s first-team squad, he was never able to dislodge the likes of Freddie Sears, Jabo Ibehre and Clinton Morrison in their starting line-up.

He eventually left the Weston Homes Community Stadium for Kidderminster Harriers in January, 2014, in pursuit of first-team football.

But it was not forthcoming at the Aggborough Stadium and signed on loan for Grays Athletic, where he played under his former U’s youth-team coach, Jody Brown, pictured left.

Brown said: “When we brought him in at Grays, he had no club and no options but he came in and worked really hard,” said Brown.

“He never missed a training session and he never questioned anything.

“He had himself down as a down-the-middle striker and was used to playing with his back to goal but we played as a three up front.

“I converted him into a right forward in a front three and spoke to him about running in behind.

“There as a little bit of resistance at first but we said to him ‘we know you want to progress and the way you can do that is by making headlines’.

“The way that you usually do that as a striker in non-league football is by scoring goals.

“He got 20 goals before Christmas for us and Margate came in for him.”

Ladapo’s prolific return to Essex under Brown helped to reignite his career and in January 2015, his move to Margate led to further scoring exploits that caught the eye of Palace.

“It’s a fairytale story and it’s great, because Freddie is such a great person,” said Brown, who is now manager of Heybridge Swifts.

“He probably feels like he’s won the lottery - I’m delighted for him and getting that Premier League debut under your belt goes a long way. “I feel genuinely happy because of how hard he’s worked and he was such a pleasure to communicate with.

“He had one setback after another but he’s dealt with all of them really well and it seems to just fuel his fire.

“I’m sure that he’s working as hard at Palace on the training ground as he was when he was with us at Grays and he never just goes through the motions.

“When you see Freddie’s smile, enthusiasm and energy on the training ground, it’s hard to ignore.

“Only time will tell on whether or not Colchester missed a trick but if he goes on and has a long and fruitful career, then it will go down as a mistake to let him go.”

After making his Premier League bow at Manchester United, Ladapo is now hoping to make his home league debut for Palace when they host champions Chelsea, on Saturday week.

“Freddie Ladapo to score Palace’s first league goal of the season? What a moment and unlikely situation that would have been this summer,” added Ritson.

“Now, it could become a reality. It shows if you keep working hard, a chance will come up - but now he has to take it. Or face another spell out on loan later this season.”

After making his Premier League debut at the Theatre of Dreams, this might just be the start of Ladapo’s extraordinary fairytale.