Town and Stoke City have agreed to a loan deal for striker Ali Al-Hamadi, with the player having successfully completed his medical, TWTD understands.
The 22-year-old spoke with the Potters yesterday, and it is understood that a deal has now been finalized, with Stoke paying a substantial loan fee to Town.
This agreement, which has no option to make the deal permanent in the summer, ensures that Al-Hamadi will be available for Stoke’s match at home to Oxford tomorrow.
Earlier in the week, Al-Hamadi had discussions with West Brom boss Tony Mowbray about a potential permanent move, but the deal fell through over the transfer fee, contradicting earlier reports that it was due to his medical.
Al-Hamadi has been Town’s third-choice striker this season, with his only starts coming in cup ties against his former club AFC Wimbledon and Bristol Rovers. His departure is not unexpected.
In the summer, the Iraqi international, who had undergone adductor surgery after last season, was close to a loan move to Derby, but the deal collapsed when Town pulled out to pursue a loan move for Armando Broja from Chelsea.
A January move to a Championship club, whether on loan or permanently, has seemed likely, with the Blues looking to bring in a more experienced forward in this window, though manager Kieran McKenna stated yesterday that there is no certainty that a deal will be completed before the February 3rd deadline.
Al-Hamadi, born in Iraq and raised in Liverpool, joined Town from AFC Wimbledon in January last year for a fee that rose to around £2 million after promotion.
He has made three starts—one in the league—and 24 substitute appearances for the Blues, scoring five goals. His only goal this season came in the Carabao Cup tie against his old club at Plough Lane in August.
The departure of the one-time Wycombe forward opens up a spot in Town’s 25-man Premier League squad, which will need to be resubmitted after the transfer window closes.
