Ali Al-Hamadi to Stoke City transfer, 'bundle of energy and aggression' and why Ipswich are letting him go
Stoke City are turning to Ali Al-Hamadi as they try to find a way to get the team scoring more regularly in the all-important last three-and-a-bit months of the season. Mark Robins has lost Tom Cannon but recalled Nathan Lowe from loan and is hoping Ipswich Town's Al-Hamadi will help provide a new dynamic in the Championship.
Stuart Watson, chief football writer at the East Anglian Daily Times, has been able to offer an insight into what Al-Hamadi will bring to the bet365 Stadium.
How would you describe Al-Hamadi as a player? What are his strengths and weaknesses?
READ MORE: Mark Robins clear what Stoke City focus has to be as he comes through meeting with diehards
READ MORE: Stoke City close in on Premier League striker
SW: He's a bundle of energy and aggression. Chases and attacks everything. At times that's looked a little raw, but it's hard to give a full assessment given he's only started three games for Ipswich.
Certainly played his part in getting Ipswich's Championship promotion over the line in the second half of last season. A brace in a 6-0 home thrashing of Sheffield Wednesday was probably the highlight.
Why are Ipswich letting him go?
He's just risen too quickly. This time last year he was playing in League Two for AFC Wimbledon. Making the giant step up to the Premier League was always going to be a big ask and a limited pre-season, after groin surgery, didn't help his cause.
He was close to joining Derby on loan last summer, but Ipswich had to pull the plug on that after failing to land another striker. It's just as well they did, because an injury to George Hirst left Ali as the main back-up to Liam Delap.
Hirst is fit again now, Jaden Philogene and Julio Enciso have been added to the attacking unit, so Al-Hamadi has been allowed to leave to continue his development.
What's he like as a character, on and off the pitch?
He is, by his own admittance, 'quite a confident person who will fit in anywhere I go'.
Ipswich fans took to his personality and playing style very quickly after he arrived last January.
"I think it’s a very important thing in football nowadays to have a connection with the fans," he said. "I’ve always had it at the clubs where I have been because I wear my heart on my sleeve. Hopefully, they can see what it means to me to be representing the club every time I’m on the pitch.
"I’m quite an emotional person and I think the supporters tend to like that because you’re showing a bit of passion and a connection with them on a human level, rather than just being a footballer who steps out on the pitch and does his job."
Anything you can tell us about Al-Hamadi that we wouldn't already know?
He's got a fascinating back story. Born in Iraq, his father was imprisoned by Saddam Hussein for peacefully protesting against the dictator’s regime and his family were granted asylum in Toxteth, Liverpool. He grew up on a council estate playing street football and is a big Liverpool fan.
His career path in England is really interesting too. Took a risk on leaving Tranmere, didn't quite make it at Swansea, had trials at Derby and Forest, had a year out of the game, signed for Wycombe before moving to AFC Wimbledon and catching fire.
While you're here, we have launched a new WhatsApp group to deliver the latest Stoke news directly to your phone. Click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in. If for some reason you decide you no longer want to be in our community, you can leave at any time by clicking on the name at the top of your screen and clicking 'Exit Group', simple as that.
