Striker returns to Portman Road

Striker Ali Al-Hamadi has thanked the Hatters fans for their support during a season he declared has been the most ‘difficult’ of his career to date.

The 24-year-old moved to Kenilworth Road on loan from Championship outfit Ipswich Town in the summer, signed by then manager Matt Bloomfield, who had been a former team-mate of the forward during their time at Wycombe Wanderers four years ago. Having netted 26 times in 48 matches for AFC Wimbledon between January 2023 and 2024, then going on to play in the Premier League for the Tractor Boys, Al-Hamadi’s addition was greeted with excitement by the majority of Town supporters, many expecting he would be the man to score the goals and spearhead a promotion push back to the second tier.

However, when Al-Hamadi joined, he arrived with a calf issue which prevented him from playing for the first six weeks, as the striker then came back for two substitute outings in October and November, before picking up another injury on international duty for Iraq that kept him out for another two months. He then returned in January, making six appearances, only to suffer another problem that kept him out once more, before he was declared fit to head away with his country, scoring for the Lions of Mesopotamia as they reached the World Cup Finals with a 2-1 play-off win over Bolivia in April.

Al-Hamadi followed that up with his first goal for the Hatters when on target against his former club AFC Wimbledon in the 3-0 victory on Easter Monday, also gaining an assist for Jake Richards’ strike, but despite being fit, only started one of the club’s last six matches in all competitions, including being an unused substitute in the Vertu Trophy final victory over Stockport County.

With Town giving themselves a chance of reaching the play-offs when going to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, Al-Hamadi was preferred on the bench to January addition Devante Cole, as thrown on for the final eight minutes with the scores level at 2-2, he had a big hand to play in the Hatters’ stoppage time winner as his low prod was saved by Trotters keeper Jack Bonham and tapped home by Shayden Morris.

Despite Town’s success, a victory for Stevenage meant that Luton will be plying their trade in the third tier once more next term, and that appears to be without Al-Hamadi, who had originally joined with an obligation to buy. Returning to Portman Road, where he has another year left on his contract, with Ipswich having won promotion back to the Premier League, then after playing just 14 times in all competitions for Luton, with just two starts, writing on his official X page, Al-Hamadi said: “Thank you for your support this season Hatters.

"Injuries made it my most difficult season to date. I’m very grateful to the people at the club that took care of me all season. I thoroughly enjoyed the last few months of the season and the transformation of this team. This club is special and I’m confident that it will get back where it belongs SOON.”