Al Ahli have completed the signing of Ivan Toney from Brentford for a fee of €40million (£33.6m).
The Athletic reported that the Saudi Pro League side had reached an agreement with their Premier League counterparts for the signing of Toney.
Toney completed a medical in London on Friday and has signed a long-term deal with the Saudi outfit.
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Thomas Frank paid tribute to Toney in a Brentford statement confirming the striker’s departure on Friday.
He said: “It’s been a pleasure to work with Ivan over the last four years. 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.”
Frank added: “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.
“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.”
Meetings were taking place throughout Thursday night at Brentford, and Toney was at Jersey Road, the club’s training ground, meeting with senior staff.
The 28-year-old was left out of Brentford’s matchday squads for their opening Premier League fixtures against Crystal Palace and Liverpool, with The Athletic reporting interest from Al Ahli.
Toney has one year remaining on his current Brentford contract, having not signed new terms since his five-year deal when he joined from Peterborough United in 2020.
The Athletic reported that Brentford preferred to sell Toney this summer for a fair market value rather than risk losing him on a free transfer in 11 months.
Toney has scored 72 goals in 141 appearances for Brentford. After serving an eight-month ban for breaching the Football Association’s betting rules, he returned in January and finished the 2023-24 season with four goals in 17 Premier League appearances.
Brentford’s record signing, Igor Thiago, who is seen as Toney’s successor, suffered a knee injury in July and is expected to be sidelined until “late 2024.”
(Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
