The latest Sheffield Wednesday transfer addition has been confirmed.

The Sheffield Wednesday loan signing of striker Ali Al-Hamadi has been confirmed, with the Iraq international joining on loan until the end of the season.

The news comes after the Ipswich Town man was spotted sitting in the director’s box in an Owls tracksuit during Tuesday evening’s Carabao Cup defeat to Wolves. The arrival of the 24-year-old seems likely to serve as an important addition and brings to an end a search for a physical striker to compliment the club’s existing forward options.

Six-foot-two Al-Hamadi earned a fierce EFL reputation for his exploits with AFC Wimbledon before sealing an eye-catching switch to Ipswich Town in 2024. Two of his four league goals for the Tractor Boys came in a 6-0 routing of Danny Röhl’s Owls in March that year and has played at Championship and Premier League level but things have stalled a touch for him since, with loan switches to Stoke City and Luton Town following.

Al-Hamadi’s playing style is different to the options already on Wednesday’s books and his addition should allow for the matches in which the Owls seek to go more direct.

Choosing his words carefully so as not to confirm Al-Hamadi’s signing ahead of the fact, Owls boss Henrik Pedersen told media when asked on Tuesday night: “It could be a physically strong striker who likes to run behind, a good header, and a striker who is also good in our pressing and in the transition... We have two strikers now (Jamal Lowe and Mason Burstow - before the signing of Al-Hamadi), also Dev (Moses) as number three, but they are strong between and the basics are that we want them to run behind.

“We have seen Jamal score from behind, we have also seen Mason today run behind, and we are searching a third striker who is maybe a little bit more physical than the two others for the simple football. So I think they will be a good match together.”

Speaking to club media as part of his unveiling, sporting director Simon Wilson said: “Ali is an exciting, athletic forward whose aggressive pressing and ability to run in behind will add another dimension to the team. He enjoyed a rapid rise at Wimbledon, quickly establishing himself as one of the most exciting young forwards in the EFL before earning a move to Ipswich, where he was part of the team that won promotion to the Premier League.

“Since then, Ali has gained valuable experience in the Championship and at international level, continuing to develop his all-round game. That progression was evident in a series of positive performances at this summer’s FIFA World Cup.

“Our references on Ali have been extremely strong, particularly around his character and mentality. We believe he will fit really well into our dressing room and the culture we are building at the training ground, and we are delighted to welcome him to Hillsborough.”