Town striker Ali Al-Hamadi is set to join Luton Town on loan, a deal which will become permanent next summer.

TWTD revealed in July that the Hatters were keeping tabs on the Iraq international, manager Matt Bloomfield having previously worked with him at Wycombe Wanderers.

The Bedfordshire side had appeared to cool their interest but have now come back in for him ahead of this evening’s 7pm deadline.

The 23-year-old, who spent the second half of last season at Stoke City, will join the League One side on an initial loan but with the deal made permanent for £3 million next summer.

Liverpool-raised Al-Hamadi, whose Blues contract runs until the summer of 2028, made four starts - one in the league - and 25 sub appearances following his January 2024 move from AFC Wimbledon for a fee in excess of £1 million, scoring five goals.

Al-Hamadi’s exit along with those of Luke Woolfenden and Chieo Ogbene, as well as Conor Townsend not being registered due to his long-term injury, means the Blues will be down to 26 players who qualify for the 25-man squad.

We understand, at present Town have no plans to bring in a replacement for Woolfenden, so will need to move on only one more player.

Elkan Baggott now looks set to stay following Woolfenden’s exit and Town have no plans to send Cameron Humphreys out on loan.

Harry Clarke would now look the man most likely to move out on loan to get the squad number down.

That would see Humphreys and Baggott as what the EFL term ‘club developed players’, allowing nine rather than eight senior subs, Woolfenden having previously fulfilled that position.

Photo: Matchday Images

tractorboykent added 13:52 - Sep 1 The 4 goals he scored in the Championship promo season helped us over the line. He alweays put in a good shift and even as recently as the Birmingham game he came on and had a real go. Overall, things haven't worked out for him and with the new recruits it's certainly right that he moves on but the negativity/abuse he gets makes me wonder how the f**k some people on here call themselves supporters.

4

StowTractor added 14:20 - Sep 1 Ali-lelujah!!! In all seriousness, all the best at Luton this season Ali. Good person, works hard, tries his best and had a decent pre season. But cant take a pen to save his life or our cup hopes, sadly. Truth be told a season in League one might be just what he needs to kick start his career again. Jumped straight from L2 with the Real Dons to a Championship promotion race and then half a season later to the PL. Too far and certainly too fast. Hopefully Luton can get promotion again and he can establish himself in the Championship with a club he has become a part of. Once again excellent business by Mr Ashton. A loan fee this season, and a profit on the original fee next summer, which will help offset some of our own obligations to buy (if we go up) or some of the add ons on the Nunez or McAteer deals.

1

Saxonblue74 added 14:31 - Sep 1 £3M? The world has gone nuts!!!
0

warfarinman69 added 15:21 - Sep 1 To those in the know. If we don't register Burns until January are we down to 25?
0

darkhorse28 added 15:45 - Sep 1 Does the benefit of 9 instead of 8 subs, and holding young players back from developing with more first team experience work for us long term? I can’t think 8 instead of 7 outfield options has ever been a requirement, all out forward players are very versatile. Would rather Humphreys got games and developed.
0

Linkboy13 added 16:59 - Sep 1 Had terrible bad luck with injuries and needs a decent run of games to see him at his best and he's not going to get it here so it's a good move for him and the fee is about right considering we got 10 million for Broadhead who wasn't a first team regular.
0

Steelmonkey added 18:14 - Sep 1 I wish you well Ali and push on with your career, I think you came here to early and too much was expected too quickly of you, in my view you needed another season in the championship before stepping up to the Premiership and it’s set you back. Good luck.
0

ringwoodblue added 18:46 - Sep 1 Still not confirmed and time running out. Maybe Matt Bloomfield has watched AAH’s 10 second highlights video and decided against it
0

trevski_s added 19:01 - Sep 1 I'm glad we are keeping hold of Humphreys and also going to give Baggott a chance. I would rather keep Clarke in though over Johnson but I understand McKennas reasoning as Clarke fitness isn't probably where it should be following his injury and surgery over the summer and needs games to build it so probably would be behind Johnson, Furlong and Young based on fitness levels. Plus Johnson can cover both left and right back

0

1981Ipswich added 19:45 - Sep 1 Makes sense, fresh start and new challenge might be what he needs
0

Blogs 299 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls