Luton Town’s squad is still to be confirmed after the end of the season, but one loan player has reflected candidly on a difficult campaign while hinting, like another, that they may have made their final appearances for the club.
The Hatters raided Ipswich Town for the loan capture of striker Ali Al-Hamadi in last summer’s transfer window and he arrived on September 1 with what the club said in a statement at the time was “with an obligation to purchase if certain criteria are met within the loan period.”
The Iraqi forward’s campaign was beset by injuries. He was signed with a calf issue that then boss Matt Bloomfield credited for Luton being in a position to sign him, as he had interest from clubs in a higher division.
It wasn’t until October 31 that he pulled on a Hatters shirt but after two appearances he went on international duty and though he scored for his country in a World Cup qualifier on November 13 he got injured again and didn’t play again for Luton until January 27.
Al-Hamadi had to wait until April 6 for his first Hatters goal, in a 3-0 win against his former side AFC Wimbledon, but he played no part in Town’s Vertu Trophy final triumph and only made four more appearances, starting just once in that time. In total he made just 14 appearances, including two starts.
It is unclear what the criteria was that would have triggered a permanent deal, but Al-Hamadi has taken to social media and his message suggested the clause has not been met.
“Thank you for your support this season Hatters,” he wrote online, adding: “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.”
Ahead of Luton announcing their released list, after failing to make the play-offs despite an 11-game unbeaten streak to see out the League One season, another message posted online by Dutch midfielder Davy van den Berg, has also hinted that Saturday’s 3-2 win over Bolton was his last game for the club.
The 26-year-old joined Luton on a loan deal from Netherland top flight side FC Utrecht in January and though he made his debut immediately in Town’s 2-1 win over Bradford in February, the first of 17 appearances, the midfielder struggled to establish himself as a starting option until the final month of the campaign when he started on three occasions.
Manager Jack Wilshere didn’t rule out the possibility of signing Van den Berg on a permanent deal when asked a few weeks ago, but the Dutchman wrote on social media: “We fought all together, unfortunately it wasn’t enough this time. What is meant for you will reach you. All the best in the future, you Hatters.”
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