x

McKenna: Al-Hamadi a Really High Potential Forward Player - Ipswich Town News

Blues manager Kieran McKenna believes striker Ali Al-Hamadi a forward player of really high potential.

The 21-year-old joined Town on Monday from AFC Wimbledon for an initial fee of just over £1 million, his former club Wycombe Wanderers, who he gave him a free transfer last January, receiving 25 per cent of the fee.

Al-Hamadi trained with the Town squad for the first time today having missed Iraq’s final game at the Asian Cup with a back problem and it’s expected he will go straight into the squad for tomorrow’s game at Preston.

"He's somebody that we've watched quite closely and is a really high potential forward player, we think,” McKenna said.

"He's had a fantastic 12 months. We think he's got a lot of growth still to come, and he really fits our recruitment model.
 
"We know that to be competitive in this division we have to, at times, find other ways to do it.

"We've brought in players over the last couple of windows who maybe weren't playing at the previous club or maybe hadn't been successful recently, and you're able to attract them for a better price.

"And with Ali, he's making a step up from League Two, but we think he's got fantastic raw ingredients and potential to make that step up, and we think this is a really good environment for him to do it in.
 
"And he's, we think, hopefully, a really good acquisition for the football club, and someone who can also come and help us in the second half of the season.”

What to read next:

Eze Nets Twice as U19s Draw Opener at Czech Tournament
Striker Nelson Eze scored twice as an U19 Town side drew 2-2 with hosts Banik Ostrava in their opening match at the Zlaty Kahan tournament in Czechia yesterday.
Young: Working With McKenna Again Was a Massive Pull
New Blues signing Ashley Young says manager Kieran McKenna played a big part in his decision to join Town having left Everton at the end of last season.
Town Confirm Young Signing
Town have confirmed the signing of veteran former England international Ashley Young on a one-year deal.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Released Forward Roberts Joins Stevenage
Released Blues U21s forward Matty Roberts has joined League One Stevenage following a trial.
Young Close to Completing Town Move
Veteran former England international Ashley Young is close to completing a move to the Blues on a one-year deal.
Former Town Youth Coach Owen Dies
Former Town youth coach Brian Owen has died, aged 80.
Emmanuel-Thomas Joins AFC Totton
Ex-Town forward Jay Emmanuel-Thomas has joined National League South AFC Totton following his release from prison on parole.
Young Watches Son as U21s Beat Needham
Former England star and apparent Town target Ashley Young watched his son Tyler feature as a trialist for Town's U21s on Tuesday evening as they beat 10-man Needham Market 2-1 at Bloomfields in a pre-season friendly.
Young Watching Town U21s at Needham
Veteran former England international Ashley Young is watching Town’s U21s in friendly action at Needham Market with his son Tyler on trial with John McGreal’s squad.