Ipswich Town: Ali Al-Hamadi on his encouraging start at club

To say it's been a whirlwind two years for Ali Al-Hamadi is an understatement.

Less than two years ago, he was playing for National League side Bromley on loan from League One outfit Wycombe Wanderers.

In January 2023, he signed for League Two side AFC Wimbledon and promptly scored 27 goals in 48 appearances.

In January 2024, in the middle of representing Iraq at the Asian Cup, he signed for Premier League promotion-chasing Ipswich Town in a £1m+ deal.

Ali Ali-Hamadi has had five exciting cameos for Ipswich Town so far. (Image: PA)

“I had an eight-hour flight back (from Qatar) and I was thinking about how it had been a mental year or two for me," he says. 

“It was a powerful moment for me to reflect on all that had happened and, at the same time, to look ahead to what else I wanted to achieve. 

“At the moment there are so many games, so it's just focus and head down. I’m sure there will be a time for more reflection in the summer when we’re in the Premier League."

That last sentence is delivered with a cheeky smile.

"I’m quite a confident person and I’ve always been like that - I’ll fit in anywhere I go," says the 21-year-old. "It feels like I’ve been here longer than just a few weeks."

Ali Al-Hamadi celebrates with Omari Hutchinson after playing a key role in the latter's dramatic stoppage-time winner against Rotherham. (Image: Ross Halls)

It really does. Any fears that the youngster might be overawed by the step up of two divisions were quickly quashed by his impactful debut cameo at Preston North End. That, remember, came off the back of just a couple of training sessions with his new teammates.

Further bustling sub displays have come against West Brom, Millwall, Swansea and Rotherham. He won and scored a penalty to secure a 4-0 victory at The Den, then played a key role in Omari Hutchinson's dramatic stoppage-time winner against the Millers.

It's clear that, already, supporters are in love with his energetic approach and passionate personality.

"Some of the boys have said they can't believe I've had my own chant already!" laughed the Liverpool-raised youngster.

Ali Al-Hamadi attacks the ball ahead of Kieffer Moore moments before the latter got Ipswich Town back to 3-2 at Preston. (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

"It has been amazing and I probably couldn’t have wished for a better start to life here. 

"I think it’s a very important thing in football nowadays to have a connection with the fans. 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 never take anything for granted so it’s been great to see and feel the energy from the fans every time I’ve been involved. 

"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."

Ali Al-Hamadi made his Ipswich Town debut at Preston after just a few days' training with his new teammates. (Image: Pagepix Ltd)

Al-Hamadi's CV certainly makes for interesting reading. He started out in Tranmere's academy before turning down a professional contract there to sign a two-year scholarship with Swansea. He subsequently turned professional at the South Wales club, but left there at the end of his deal having failed to make a senior appearance.

After more than a year without a club, he joined Wycombe. He made just one league start for the Chairboys, went on loan to Bromley briefly, before dropping down to the fourth-tier with AFC Wimbledon.

"From the outside it can look like, ‘Oh he’s gone here or there and not played', but it's not as simple as that," he explained.

"I got offered a deal at Swansea when I was 18 or 19 and chose to leave because I thought that first-team opportunities were limited for me at the time. 

"I had a few months where I bounced around different clubs and Swansea were asking for a compensation fee. Whatever club I went to said, ‘You’re doing well but we can’t really sign you because we haven’t got the money at the moment for a youth player.' 

"It was a challenging time. I went to Derby when Wayne Rooney was there and was close to getting signed then they went into administration. I was at Forest, did well there for about a month, but they got promoted to the Premier League and said, ‘We need to spend funds on the first team.' I was thinking, ‘When am I going to catch a break?’ 

Ali Al-Hamadi caught the attention of several Championship clubs after scoring 27 goals for AFC Wimbledon. (Image: PA)

"Eventually, I landed at Wycombe. That probably wasn’t my preferred option when I was leaving Swansea, but it was the only option I had at that point. I went in there as a young player under Gareth Ainsworth and learned a lot under him, especially the physical side of the game. I learnt off Sam Vokes, someone who has played at the top level. 

"It got to a point where I was like, ‘I’m ready to play but there are players ahead of me who are older and more experienced.’ So I took another risk and went to play men’s football at Wimbledon."

The rest, as they say, is history. 

"At every point I’ve been at I’ve not been afraid to take a risk," says Al-Hamadi. "I’ve always backed myself, both my ability and my mindset.

"Hopefully I can kind of be a role model now to younger players who do have similar journeys to mine.

"In academy systems nowadays, I don’t think they prepare you for men’s football. So I speak to a lot of the younger guys now and say, ‘You need to go and fail, you need to go and get rejected and have people tell you you’re not good enough.' It gives you that drive and hunger. 

"Some people might crumble, but you find out what you’re really made of at that point. That’s always been the way I have worked. I hope people can look at my story and take motivation from it."