Ivan Toney: England striker leaves Brentford to join Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli on permanent deal
Published 31/08/2024 at 09:10 GMT+1
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England striker Ivan Toney has completed a move from Brentford to Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli for a fee reported to be in the region of £40 million. Toney had been the subject of much speculation with Chelsea and Manchester United linked with the 28-year-old, but he has opted to leave the Premier League. He scored 72 goals in 141 appearances for The Bees, having joined from Peterborough in 2020.
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England striker Ivan Toney has completed his move from Brentford to Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli.
Toney had been linked with moves to Premier League giants Manchester United and Chelsea but has opted to become the latest high-profile name to head to Saudi Arabia, joining the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema.
The west London club turned down a £35 million bid earlier this summer from Al Ahli but accepted an offer believed to be in the region of £40m.
Brentford boss Tomas Frank hailed Toney as a club legend on his departure, expressing gratitude for "so many magic moments".
“It’s been a pleasure to work with Ivan over the last four years,” said Frank.
“He has averaged more than one goal every two games, which is an unbelievable number.
“On the pitch, he has been a fantastic goalscorer, link-up player and leader. He has pushed the team, the squad and himself.
“It’s a wonderful journey that we have been on together. Ivan helped the club and the team, and the club and the team have helped Ivan.
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“I’m happy he has an opportunity to try something new in his life and career. We thank him for so many magic moments and wish him all the best for his next chapter. Ivan leaves as a Brentford legend.”
Toney has not featured for Brentford this season, with manager Frank admitting ahead of his side's 2-0 defeat away to Liverpool last Sunday that the striker's future was "up in the air".
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He joined The Bees from Peterborough in September 2020 and immediately helped the club gain promotion to the Premier League.
His 31 goals in 45 appearances that year broke the record for a single Championship season since the league was rebranded in 2004.
His form in front of goal also earned him a spot in Gareth Southgate's England squad for Euro 2024, although he made just three appearances, all of which came as a late substitute.
In total, he found the net 72 times in 141 Brentford appearances at a rate of just over a goal every other game.
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