Town and Stoke City have agreed a loan deal for striker Ali Al-Hamadi with the player having passed his medical, TWTD understands.

The 22-year-old held talks with the Potters yesterday and we understand a deal has now been agreed with the Potters paying Town a substantial loan fee.

The deal, which includes no provision to become permanent in the summer, has been done in time for the frontman to be in the Stoke squad at home to Oxford tomorrow.

Earlier in the week, Al-Hamadi held talks with West Brom boss Tony Mowbray with a proposed permanent switch falling through regarding the fee, contrary to reports elsewhere claiming it was due to his medical.

Al-Hamadi has been Town’s third-choice frontman this season but his only starts came in the cup ties against his former club AFC Wimbledon and Bristol Rovers and his departure comes as little surprise.

In the summer, the Iraqi international, who had undergone adductor surgery at the end of last season, was close to signing for Derby on loan but the move didn’t happen after Town pulled out of the deal to sign Armando Broja on loan from Chelsea.

A move to a Championship club during January either on loan or permanently has always looked on the cards with the Blues keen to bring in a more senior frontman during this window, although with manager Kieran McKenna having said yesterday that there is no guarantee that will happen before the Monday 3rd February deadline.

Iraq-born, Liverpool raised Al-Hamadi joined Town from AFC Wimbledon in January last year for a fee which, following promotion, rose to around £2 million.

He has made three starts - one in the league - and 24 sub appearances for the Blues, scoring five times. His only goal this season came in the Carabao Cup tie against his old club at Plough Lane in August.

The one-time Wycombe frontman’s departure frees up a space in Town’s 25-man Premier League squad, which has to be resubmitted shortly after the transfer window closes.

Photo: Matchday Images

NthQldITFC added 12:36 - Jan 24 Good luck Ali, smash the budgies when you get the chance.
31

Alphawhiskey added 12:45 - Jan 24 Good luck Ali. Pity things never worked out here. Keep practising those pens.....
-2

bringmeaKuqi added 12:53 - Jan 24 Much better that this is a loan than permanent. He's only 22 and has only made 22 appearances above League 1 level. He could almost double that number in a half season loan. Much needed experience for him
26

TomCruise added 12:54 - Jan 24 Has made a positive contribution toward Town and our success in recent years so wish him the very best of luck. Hopefully he does well and earns himself a good move in the summer as I do not think he will be what we need regardless of where we are playing next season.
9

Broadbent23 added 12:58 - Jan 24 Good luck Ali. Sharpen your boots for next season.
8

ArnieM added 12:58 - Jan 24 Good luck Ali, I think events conspired against him unfortunately. Hes a great striker, who just needs to get some regular games. Suspect this might end up being a permanent move in the summer.
2

Treacle added 12:59 - Jan 24 Hope this helps him develop. Cannot fault his passion but he needs significant improvement to make the premier league grade. Good luck Ali.
9

baxterbasics added 13:21 - Jan 24 If we drop back down, he could be important for us next season, so it's good for him to get regular game time in the Championship. If we stay up, we've probably seen the last of him here. Good luck to Ali either way.
7

Carberry added 13:40 - Jan 24 Does this mean there's a Centre Forward waiting in the wings? McKenna sounded downbeat about that yesterday. If not he must be very surplus to requirements if they are willing to let him go now.
3

MK1 added 13:41 - Jan 24 Good move for him that. Should be ok with them.
1

Clemcc added 13:51 - Jan 24 Feel sorry for Ali. Liverpool born and is going to miss the Liverpool game at Anfield next!!! Good luck Ali
3

bluebullet29l added 13:51 - Jan 24 Thank god....just don't let him take a penalty.....
2

Bluesince92 added 14:08 - Jan 24 We should try and buy Richard Kone from Wycombe he's 21 and scored double figures this season so would be a bit of a step up but considering he'd be 3rd choice could be good.
-3

RobITFC added 14:22 - Jan 24 Go and smash it Ali and cone back a better player, best of luck
4

BerksBlue15 added 14:26 - Jan 24 He was unfortunately only in the 25 while Hirst was out. We don't need all three of Hirst, Delap and AAH with so many number 10s playing behind the striker. Would rather use a spot for Philogene or Enciso than AAH but he may still yet come back a changed young man at the end of the year and make a huge impact, whichever division we are in.
5

Murphys_Law added 14:43 - Jan 24 Good luck to him, needs some games post his injury and rehab. Will be very interesting to see if he can cut the mustard at Championship level. He has the attitude and commitment, looking forward to following him and seeing if he can bang in a few!
3

blues1 added 14:47 - Jan 24 Berksblue15. Wny dont we need 3 number 9s? If Hirst gets injured again, which let's face it, is likely with his record, then we'd be down to just delap. So if hexwas then yo get injured or suspended, we'd have no1. That's why we're still looking to bringing another. If we can't then I guess we'll justchave to play some1zelse up there, maybe Encisco as a false 9, and change tgd way ww play uo to him. But ideally, we could do with another cf.

4

cartman1972 added 14:50 - Jan 24 Great news......truly one of the worst forwards we've had .
-6

Bazza8564 added 14:50 - Jan 24 Good luck young fella, you did a good job for us at the back end of last season, but opportunities are always going to be limited in the PL. i wish you well
4

blues1 added 14:51 - Jan 24 Carberry. Don't think Mckenna,sounded downbeat about it, at all. Just basically said, that unless there's one out there who'd improve us, (and there aren't many about of the type we want), then we won't add any. Which makes sense. No point signing some1 just for the sake of it( panic buying).
2

TimmyH added 14:52 - Jan 24 Nowhere near this level...hope with some games under his belt he becomes better.
4

Leejames99 added 14:53 - Jan 24 I wonder whether Troy Parrott might be worth considering, he has had plenty experience since he was here last, still on 22, scored 17 in 32 last year has scored 11 in 27 this season. He knows the club, is a Rebulic Of Ireland teammate of Ipswich players etc seems to fit the Mckenna mould and could probably get him for 10 million, AZ Alkamar paid 4 million. Find Azaz is another great Republic of Ireland player tearing up the Championship with Boro, if they don't get promoted he would be a great midfielder to bring in. Just an idea but Troy Parrot could be a good resigning.

0

blueboy1981 added 14:57 - Jan 24 What happened to the usual Wags prediction of all those January incoming signings ? - the Skates need to be on now to prove them right !
-3

Bluesince92 added 15:19 - Jan 24 Honestly thought we would have kept Kieffer Moore he'd be quite handy having Prem experience and done really well with us even when Bournemouth had to play him I the Prem he was scoring think he'd be a great player to come on the last 20 mins or so
5

Saxonblue74 added 15:21 - Jan 24 A victim of our own success. Nobody expected us to need a Premier quality striker so soon!
2

Blogs 298 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls