Since joining Stoke City on loan from Ipswich Town in January, Ali Al-Hamadi has had the fans singing his name.
Ali Al-Hamadi revealed he had no idea that Stoke City fans were singing his name until a teammate whispered the lyrics in his ear at the end of his debut match.
The 23-year-old striker joined Stoke on loan from Ipswich Town in January, stepping in after Tom Cannon was recalled by Leicester and sold to Sheffield United. Although losing Cannon was a tough blow, Al-Hamadi quickly made an impact, scoring on his debut against Hull. His work ethic on the pitch inspired fans to rework Inspiral Carpets’ *This Is How It Feels*, incorporating both his name and Cannon’s in the lyrics.
Al-Hamadi shared, “It’s a great feeling when people sing your name. I’ve always had a good connection with the fans, whether it was at Wimbledon or Ipswich. I didn’t even know what they were singing until after the game. I was so focused, I thought it was for the team. Then someone whispered to me, ‘Do you know what they’re singing?’ and I couldn’t believe it.”
He continued, “I was singing it all weekend. My friends and a couple of lads from Ipswich sent it to me. I thought my name would be hard to fit into a song, but for some reason, it works. Hopefully, they keep singing it.”
Al-Hamadi also expressed respect for Tom Cannon, saying, “I’ve got nothing against Tom Cannon. He’s a lovely lad and did well for the club. I hope he’s not offended.”
In the latest Potters Pod podcast, Al-Hamadi discussed his decision to leave the Premier League and join Stoke. He had been getting limited minutes at Ipswich but wanted to play more regularly and sharpen his skills.
“I’ve always embraced challenges. At Ipswich, I wasn’t playing as much as I had the year before, so I knew I had to take the opportunity to get back to playing, getting fit, and staying sharp,” he explained.
Al-Hamadi also shared his excitement about joining Stoke, saying, “When I came here, it felt like the real deal—a proper stadium, training ground, and fans. It was clear this is a top football club with all the right tools.”
He also praised Stoke’s manager, Mark Robins, describing him as a calm, experienced figure who could guide the club to success. “He’s got all the tools to have a really successful time here,” Al-Hamadi concluded.
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