Al Ahli Secures England International Ivan Toney from Brentford

Al Ahli has officially signed England international Ivan Toney from Premier League club Brentford, marking a significant addition to their squad. The Saudi League team confirmed the transfer early on Saturday, with Toney committing to a contract that will keep him at the club until 2028.

At 28 years old, Toney brings considerable strength to an already formidable Al Ahli attack, which features stars such as Roberto Firmino, Riyad Mahrez, and Feras Al Buraikan. Under the guidance of manager Matthias Jaissle, the Jeddah-based club, which finished third in the previous RSL season, has started the 2024-25 campaign with one win and one loss from their opening two matches.

Toney’s impressive track record, particularly during the 2022-23 Premier League season where he netted 20 goals and ranked third in the league’s scoring charts, only behind Harry Kane and Erling Haaland, will be crucial for Al Ahli. Over his time at Brentford, he scored 69 goals in 128 league appearances, establishing himself as one of the top strikers in English football.

Having previously played for clubs such as Newcastle United, Wigan Athletic, and Peterborough United, Toney made his England debut in March 2023. He scored his first goal for the national team a year later and was a key player for Gareth Southgate’s squad at UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany. His contributions included assisting Harry Kane’s winning goal in the last-16 match against Slovakia and scoring in the penalty shootout against Switzerland, helping secure England’s place in the semi-finals.

Brentford manager Thomas Frank praised Toney’s impact on the team, stating, “Working with Ivan over the past four years has been a pleasure. His goal-scoring record is phenomenal, averaging more than one goal every two games. Ivan has been a fantastic striker, a leader, and a driving force for the team. He leaves Brentford as a true legend.”

Toney is expected to make his debut for Al Ahli when the Saudi League resumes on September 13, in a highly anticipated match against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr at Al Awwal Park.

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Favian Ningrum

Hailing from Indonesia, Favian Ningrum is a passionate writer with a deep love for the AFC Champions League and an unyielding allegiance to Liverpool. Favian's articles seamlessly blend the thrill of continental competitions with his insights into the global footballing landscape. As an AFC aficionado and Liverpool fanatic, Favian's analysis goes beyond the surface, delving into the intricacies of tactics and the stories that unfold on and off the pitch.

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