- Ivan Toney hosted a leaving party for his closest friends before move to Al Ahli
- The 28-year-old promised that flights were on him if anyone wanted to visit
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Footage has emerged of Ivan Toney saying his goodbyes to his nearest and dearest ahead of his move to Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli.
The 28-year-old’s future was subject to significant speculation this summer as he entered the final year of his deal at Brentford.
Chelsea were one of several clubs said to be interested in signing Toney though no deal had been completed heading into deadline day.
Ultimately Ah Ahli won out, paying Brentford £40m to secure his signature and offering a wage package said to be in the region of £400,000-a-week, making him one of the highest paid Englishmen in the history of football.
Prior to completing his move to the Middle East Toney invited his loved ones to join him and in his leaving speech promised that they are all welcome to come and visit.
Footage has emerged of Ivan Toney giving a leaving speech to close friends before joining Al Ahli
The 28-year-old is set for a significant pay bump in the Middle East and promised his loved ones that flights are on him should they choose to visit
‘It’s a simple one, obviously love for coming,’ Toney said.
‘You know the love. You all got invited for your own reasons we’ve had some good memories everyone, more memories on our back I’m sure. Might be a bit older, but still get down with it, you know, like that.
‘But, yeah, you’re all welcome to come pull up anytime. Flights are on me. Don’t worry I’ve got you. We will enjoy.’
Toney hasn’t played a competitive fixture since making a brief cameo in England’s Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain in July.
Gareth Southgate has since departed as England manager, and his interim successor Lee Carsley left Toney out of his first squad since taking the reins.
Speaking on Friday, Carsley insisted Toney’s move to the Middle East isn’t necessarily the death knell for his international career.
‘I was thinking about that to be honest,’ he said on Friday.
‘I think ultimately as an interim head coach I don’t think I can rule anyone in or out. It would be really interesting to go out and see Ivan play and see the level and see the tempo and see the standard.
Interim England boss Lee Carsley suggested Toney could still have a future at international level despite leaving the striker out of his first squad
‘We’ve got access to the games so I’ll definitely be following his progression out there. It would be good to go and see an actual live game to get a feel of the atmosphere and the pace of the game because sometimes you don’t quite get that on a video.
‘So, yeah, he’s definitely not ruled out. We have to be mindful… I’ve got a perception of the football out there but I’ve not been out there and seen it.
‘So I think it would be reckless to rule somebody in or out so he’s definitely not ruled out and yeah I would like to go and sample and see what the football’s like out there.’
