Ivan Toney has revealed the motivating elements that noticed him depart west London to hitch Saudi Professional League facet Al-Ahli this summer time.
The 28-year-old missed lots of the 2023/24 season as a result of his eight-month ban for breaching playing tips, however the marketing campaign earlier than notched a powerful 20 Premier League targets for Brentford .
A transfer to one of many league’s prime groups was lengthy mooted, leaving some shocked at his Saudi change, with others who’ve made an identical switch usually doing so at a later level of their profession.
Ivan Toney reveals attraction to the Saudi Professional League and avoidance of switch home windows
Toney reveals that he has as little involvement in switch as potential as a result of previous experiences (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
“Arsenal ? Manchester United ? I by no means become involved in switch home windows, as a result of the time I did, it broke down and I used to be devastated,” Toney tells FourFourTwo in an unique interview. “I let my folks take cost of issues now. If one thing is supposed to be, it’s going to fall into place, however I’m not one to power a transfer.”
The ill-fated transfer in query concerned a teenage Toney heading to Wolverhampton Wanderers , waving goodbye to his life with Northampton City , earlier than seeing the transfer break down and forcing a troublesome resettlement interval.
The previous Brentford man earned a spot in England’s squad at Euro 2024, regardless of being sidelined for a lot of the earlier season (Picture credit score: Getty Pictures)
The avoidance of switch discuss leads Toney to insist he doesn’t even know which groups made a definitive transfer for him in the summertime, however he favored what he noticed when he heard of Al-Ahli’s curiosity.
“I got here right here and the coaching floor was good, the stadium was good and the standard within the staff was good additionally,” he continued. “Individuals have a look at this league in another way, however I stepped into it understanding it’s nonetheless a excessive commonplace.
“I wished one thing a bit totally different. It’s a distinct tradition, however I can mix in wherever. I’ve been at Peterborough , Brentford, now out of the UK. I’m excited to be on this journey. I consider it’s the fitting transfer at this stage of my profession.”
Removed from the repute as a semi-retirement vacation spot for footballers, Toney views his Saudi step as the following evolution in his profession, with loads of seasons nonetheless forward of him.
Talking of his adjusting to his new house, Toney mentioned: “I’d slightly it like this [hot] than wet and windy. On the pitch, it’s been totally different — just a little robust — however I’ll adapt and hopefully begin scoring targets and successful video games.
“I’m 28 now, so I nonetheless wish to obtain issues for the following six, seven or eight years.”
