Freeman ready for a new chapter at Priestfield
- Jeff Manning
- Aug 3
- 4 min read
Nick Freeman arrives at Gillingham with experience, versatility and a familiar face in the dugout.
David Tickner writes regularly about Gillingham Football Club on Substack. You can read, follow or subscribe for free at Gills Journal | David Tickner | Substack.
Nick Freeman’s arrival at Gillingham felt increasingly likely as his extended trial unfolded across pre-season fixtures against Dover, Charlton and Millwall, while his long-standing connection with manager Gareth Ainsworth gave the move an added sense of inevitability. Freeman admitted the move had ‘been going on for a while,’ but said he was ‘delighted to get over the line and just get going.’
Freeman, 30, is noted for his versatility, defensive acumen, work rate and stamina. He is happy to play anywhere but identifies midfield as his natural role. ‘I’m happy as long as I’m on the team sheet. Growing up, I’ve always been a midfielder.’ Asked what supporters can expect, he pointed to being ‘really fit’ and able to ‘get about the pitch,’ adding that he likes ‘driving with the ball, creating things’ and bringing ‘senior leadership.’ His career totals include 411 senior appearances and 36 goals.
Freeman’s route to Priestfield has taken in promotion campaigns, injury setbacks and a series of roles across midfield and defence, but the thread running through his career has been adaptability.
Valued at over £100,000, Freeman joins from Shrewsbury Town, where he signed a short-term deal in January 2026. He made eight starts, mostly at right back or as a defensive midfielder, and a further eight substitute appearances during the remainder of the season. He scored for Salop in their 3-1 win over Swindon on Valentine’s Day but did not feature in the final game of the season, when Shrewsbury were beaten 1-0 at Priestfield by Garath McCleary’s late 25-yard strike.
Born in Stevenage, Freeman began his senior career in non-league football with Histon, where he made over 100 appearances. After brief spells at Hemel Hempstead and Biggleswade Town, Freeman, then aged 20, was signed by Ainsworth for Wycombe Wanderers in July 2016 – a relationship that clearly helped smooth his route to Priestfield. Reflecting on the chance to work with Ainsworth again, Freeman said he had ‘played for him six, seven years’ and described the decision as ‘a no-brainer.’
During seven seasons at Adams Park, Freeman made 178 appearances, scoring nine goals and contributing to two promotions - from League Two in 2017/18 and to the Championship two seasons later. His versatility allowed him to operate across midfield and in right-sided defensive roles.
The 2017/18 season marked a turning point in Freeman’s career. He featured in 31 matches, scoring four goals and providing two assists as Wycombe secured automatic promotion to League One by finishing third in League Two. Freeman’s first EFL goal came in a 2–4 defeat to Notts County, where he scored a powerful half-volley shortly after coming on as a half time substitute.
Freeman continued to develop in League One making 59 appearances across the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons. While his goal output dipped, he remained a reliable presence in midfield and contributed to Wycombe’s consolidation in the third tier. He was a second-half substitute when Regan Charles-Cook’s late goal gave Steve Lovell’s side a 1-0 win at Adams Park in February 2019.
He was also on the losing side at Priestfield the following season when Gills ran out 2-0 winners thanks to a Mikael Ndjoli second half brace. However, the 2019/20 season culminated in Wycombe’s promotion to the EFL Championship via the League One play-offs. Freeman appeared as a stoppage time substitute in the play-off final at Wembley, where Wycombe defeated Oxford United 2–1 to secure their first-ever ascent to the second tier of English football.
Wycombe’s solitary season in the Championship presented challenges for Freeman. He found opportunities limited, making just eight league appearances as the club battled relegation. Freeman joined Leyton Orient on loan in January 2021 for the rest of the season making 15 appearances for The Os.
Freeman returned to Wycombe for the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons, featuring only sporadically and at the end of the 2022/23 season, just a few months after Ainsworth’s departure to QPR, he opted to seek a new challenge at his hometown club, Stevenage, newly promoted to League One under Steve Evans.
Freeman integrated swiftly into the Stevenage squad, making 47 appearances and scoring three goals in his debut season. His performances earned him the club’s Player of the Month awards for February and March 2024, reflecting his consistency and influence in midfield. A standout moment came in September 2023, when Freeman scored a spectacular long-range goal in a 3-0 win at Leyton Orient.
The 2024–25 season saw Freeman continue as a key figure until March 2025, when he suffered a ruptured cruciate ligament that sidelined him for the remainder of the campaign. In November 2024, he had been in the Stevenage side beaten 5-4 on penalties by The Gills in the Football League Trophy.
After coming through Gillingham’s demanding summer schedule, however, he sounded encouraged by his condition, saying: ‘It’s probably the best I’ve felt in a long time.’ He is excited about the fresh start and the quality around the club. ‘It’s a new chapter and I’m really excited. We’ve got a really good group, fantastic staff, fantastic resources.’
Comments