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

AbujaBlue added 15:27 - Jan 24 This is a good opportunity. He's not had a proper chance to prove himself (eg coming on at 87th minute) but that is the nature of the game. I hope he smashes it and gives McKenna another chance to assess him.
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FelixBlue4 added 15:30 - Jan 24 Good luck to the player, from the clubs view it puts him in the window if we stay up and should we go down we will have a better idea of his skills in the championship
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Town1Inter0 added 15:48 - Jan 24 Great move for him. Sadly the Premier League has been too much of a jump up for him, but hopefully he can come back with more experience from the Championship and become a top PL player for us.
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terryf added 16:06 - Jan 24 Would love to see him play regularly at Stoke and score plenty of goals. Sadly with us the jump between league 2 and the Premiership was too much for the lad. Wonder if we will bring in another number 9? I'm not holding my breath. I know it's all about quality and what's available, but we are relying on Hirst and Delap keeping fit and with 16 games still to go we need to score more goals. It will be the difference between staying up and relegation. The prize is a big one an hopefully we can hang on in there and replicate Notts Forest next season!!

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 16:08 - Jan 24 "[N]o provision to become permanent" suggests we are hedging our bets and Ali may still have a role to play with us depending on how things work out this season. Anyway, good luck, Ali, with the loan. It's obviously just what is needed in the present situation.
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phumph added 16:23 - Jan 24 Good luck, but sorry, you were shocking. Keep practicing those penalties
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ThaiBlue added 16:34 - Jan 24 No disrespect but he's been pretty poor for us good move for both parties.
3

atty added 16:46 - Jan 24 Any CF coming in would know he’s going g to second best to Delap, or at best spin it as sharing the load with Delap, but wher does that leave Hirst.Unless we someone in who’s on a par with Delap, and can’t see that happening.Not a great sell, especially with our league position.
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Terrystowel added 16:47 - Jan 24 Bit cruel Cartman and if you think he's one of the worst we've ever had, then you haven't been a supporter for long! Good luck Ali and COYB.
5

wedgieblue added 16:55 - Jan 24 Fingers crossed he’ll get sufficient opportunities to develop and improve so he can eventually hit that ‘barn door with a banjo’…. Much love Ali (modern day Shefki Kuqi)
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aas1010 added 17:06 - Jan 24 What happened to the igor Jesus link ? Anybody know ?
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cartman1972 added 17:18 - Jan 24 Terrystowell I did say one of the worst and I've supported the club since 1976
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SuperTabby added 17:56 - Jan 24 Robins was good at developing strikers at Coventry so hopefully Ali is a better player in a few months time. Nice to see we got a loan fee from Stoke as well. We’re going to need another #9 to come in, we can’t rely on Hirst staying fit and we’d be finished if Delap for injured as well. The Newcastle home game springs to mind…
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Carberry added 18:17 - Jan 24 blues1, McKenna wasn't showing any optimism about bringing in another number 9 in his press conference, that's what I mean about being downbeat. He publicly said he wanted players to arrive early in the window, the striker priority hasn't arrived yet, has he? We really do need one.
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keighleyblue added 18:27 - Jan 24 Oops, meant to downvote. Good luck in the potteries
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tractorfromongar added 19:41 - Jan 24 Best of luck Ali. Get some more game time and then come and show us what your made of
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eddiespearitt03 added 21:03 - Jan 24 Good luck Ali. Just keep working hard and I'm sure you will get your chance in the Premirrship again. There is a good player in you, just need a good run in a good team .
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