Ivan Toney makes very generous offer to pals in leaving speech before Britain’s new highest-paid player jets to Saudi
IVAN TONEY made a very generous offer to his friends during his leaving speech before jetting off to Saudi Arabia.
The striker agreed a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli despite interest from Chelsea on deadline day.
Toney, 28, put pen to paper on a contract worth £400,000-a-week after Brentford agreed to his £40million sale.
After signing the deal, he became the highest-paid English footballer in the history of the sport.
Before leaving for the Middle East, he hosted a farewell party for friends and family.
Toney made a speech to his loved ones and promised to cover the cost of their flights to come and see him.
He said: “It’s a simple one, obviously love for coming.
“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.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
“Flights are on me. Don’t worry I’ve got you. We will enjoy.
Toney has not played in a competitive match since coming off the bench in the final of Euro 2024.
The striker was unable to affect the result as England lost to Spain 2-1.
Since the final heartbreak, Gareth Southgate has left his role as boss of the Three Lions.
He was replaced by interim coach Lee Carsely, who left Toney out of his first England squad for Nations League fixtures against Ireland and Finland.
Carsley has insisted that Toney’s move to Al-Alhi is not necessarily the end of his international career.
He said: “I was thinking about that to be honest.
“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.
“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.”
Meanwhile, Toney will link up with some exciting new team-mates who have also made the move to Saudi.
His new squad will include the likes of former Premier League stars such as Roberto Firmino, Riyad Mahrez and Edouard Mendy.