Ivan Toney has revealed the motivating elements that noticed him go away west London to affix Saudi Professional League aspect Al-Ahli this summer season.
The 28-year-old missed a variety of the 2023/24 season because of his eight-month ban for breaching playing pointers, however the marketing campaign earlier than notched a formidable 20 Premier League objectives for Brentford.
A transfer to one of many league’s high groups was lengthy mooted, leaving some shocked at his Saudi swap, with others who’ve made the same 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
“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 would 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 tough resettlement interval.
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 preferred 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 group was good additionally,” he continued. “Individuals have a look at this league in a different way, however I stepped into it realizing it’s nonetheless a excessive customary.
“I wished one thing a bit totally different. It’s a special tradition, however I can mix in anyplace. I’ve been at Peterborough, Brentford, now out of the UK. I’m excited to be on this journey. I imagine it’s the precise transfer at this stage of my profession.”
Removed from the popularity 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 dwelling, Toney stated: “I’d fairly it like this [hot] than wet and windy. On the pitch, it’s been totally different — a bit powerful — however I’ll adapt and hopefully begin scoring objectives and profitable video games.
“I’m 28 now, so I nonetheless wish to obtain issues for the following six, seven or eight years.”
