AFC Wimbledon forward Ali Al-Hamadi has enjoyed an impressive first five months with the Club since joining on a permanent transfer from Wycombe Wanderers in January.
The forward scored 11 goals and registered one assist through the 2022/23 campaign - impressive numbers having only joined in January.
March was a particularly successful month for Al-Hamadi, as he notched three goals in fixtures against Mansfield Town, Newport County and Walsall, whilst also claiming an assist against Doncaster Rovers. It was a month that also saw him awarded the EFL’s Young Player of the Month Award and the PFA Vertu Motors League Two Fans’ Player of the Month.
💫 @AFCWimbledon's Ali Al-Hamadi keeping up his fine form! 👊#EFL | #SkyBetLeagueTwo pic.twitter.com/vuHl3StJOp
— Sky Bet League Two (@SkyBetLeagueTwo) March 29, 2023
Al-Hamadi arrived in South London in January 2023, having secured a transfer to AFC Wimbledon from Wycombe, where he went on to take League Two by storm and it’s fair to say the forward has had to overcome adversity to get to where he is now. His father was imprisoned by Iraq dictator Saddam Hussein, before he and his mother were forced to flee his native country after war broke out. The family were granted asylum in the UK and settled in Toxteth, with Al-Hamadi playing football in the streets of Liverpool.
After being selected to play for Liverpool Schoolboys at the age of 13, he joined Tranmere Rovers where he was offered a first professional contract, before opting for a two-year scholarship at Swansea City. After failing to force his way into the first-team at the Welsh Club, he signed for Wycombe during the 2021/22 season, before being sent out on loan to Bromley, where he made 10 appearances for the Club in the National League.
His debut for the Dons came in a 0-0 draw with Bradford City in January and it took five appearances for him to open his scoring account, but backed up a fine display against Hartlepool United by finding the net in each of his next three appearances.
The Iraqi international has also made five appearances for his country since his debut in 2021 and was part of their squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
AFC Wimbledon may sit in 21st place in League Two, but there’s no doubt that the Club's 2022/23 Player of the Year will be one to watch next season.
