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 lots of the 2023/24 season attributable to 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 high groups was lengthy mooted, leaving some shocked at his Saudi swap, 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
“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 individuals take cost of issues now. If one thing is supposed to be, it is 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 tough resettlement interval.
The avoidance of switch speak 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 workforce was good additionally,” he continued. “Individuals have a look at this league otherwise, however I stepped into it realizing it’s nonetheless a excessive customary.
“I needed one thing a bit totally different. It’s a unique 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 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 dwelling, Toney mentioned: “I’d somewhat it like this [hot] than wet and windy. On the pitch, it’s been totally different — a little bit powerful — however I’ll adapt and hopefully begin scoring targets and successful video games.
“I’m 28 now, so I nonetheless need to obtain issues for the following six, seven or eight years.”