From Brentford to the SPL: Toney’s Middle East Gamble Pays Dividends
Ivan Toney’s rise from League One to the Premier League was nothing short of remarkable.
He broke records, established himself in the England senior team and had top Premier League clubs sniffing around when he wanted to leave Brentford.
But rather than lead the line at Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United, Toney opted to join Saudi Pro League (SPL) club Al-Ahli last summer.
The move seemed like a premature end to his journey in European football – an anticlimactic departure from the Premier League. However, the reality is a little different.
Toney Grabs Second Chance with Both Hands
Toney’s move to Al-Ahli came with high expectations. The £40 million fee was substantial but still a bargain for one of Saudi Arabia’s richest clubs.
He arrived off the back of a tumultuous period in his career. He was banned for eight months after violating betting rules and missed most of the 2023/24 campaign.
However, he returned in time to help England reach the final of the 2024 European Championship.
He was not the first name on the team sheet. Harry Kane and Ollie Watkins were ahead in the pecking order, but that didn’t stop Toney from making his mark.
The ex-Newcastle United man scored a no-look penalty in the quarter-final against Switzerland.
Nevertheless, there was scepticism around whether he could still perform at the level he showed in the 2022/23 season when only Erling Braut Haaland and Kane outscored him.
The early signs were not encouraging. He had scored just four times in 10 games by October. Aleksandar Mitrovic (12) and Cristiano Ronaldo (11) had already hit double figures.
However, Toney turned a corner at the start of 2025. He scored four times in two consecutive AFC Champions League matches, including braces against Al-Ain and Esteghlal.
He reminded everyone why he was once the hottest commodity in the Premier League after helping Al-Ahli recover from their slow domestic start and win the AFC Champions League title.
Toney’s move to the SPL was the career reboot he needed. He got a chance to prove he’s still one of the most lethal finishers in the world, with the added benefit of a huge pay day.
Transforming Al-Ahli from Pretenders to a Powerhouse
Toney was a statement signing from Al-Ahli. The Jeddah-based club were determined to leave no stone left unturned in their quest to earn a spot at the top of the tree.
They showed plenty of ambition by signing Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino and Edouard Mendy, but they lacked a consistent goalscorer.
Toney was brought in as the missing piece of the attacking puzzle and the that sparked a flurry of activity in the Arabian betting community.
He had an underwhelming start, but his resurgence came at a crucial time, and it wasn’t long until he became a popular betting option on many of the Arabian best sports betting sites.
With Toney firing on all cylinders, Arab punters began to fancy Al-Ahli’s chances as they gathered momentum and progressed into the AFC Champions League knockout stage.
The bettors who put their faith in Al-Ahli were duly rewarded as they defeated Japanese outfit Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 to lift the continental title.
Toney’s move to Al-Ahli can be viewed as a huge success. He has hit double figures in goal contributions and spearheaded his side to AFC Champions League success.
The continental crown gives Toney’s move even more legitimacy. He did not score in the final, but his performances in the build-up were crucial in getting Al Ahli to the showpiece.
Toney’s SPL Gamble Pays Off
Toney’s move to Al-Ahli was a huge gamble both from a personal and professional standpoint.
The SPL has made it a habit of signing high-profile stars from European clubs over the past few years, but most of them were in the twilight of their careers.
The 28-year-old received plenty of stick for leaving Europe in his prime. But unlike Jordan Henderson, who couldn’t justify his move to Al-Ettifaq, Toney seems committed to the SPL project.
He claimed that the level of play in the SPL was better than outsiders believed and saw the move as a long-term challenge rather than a retirement plan.
The only downside is the move could affect his England ambitions. Toney’s Brentford exit hurt the Bees, but Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa have subsequently stepped up to the plate.
They have thrived despite his exit, and his move to Al-Ahli has worked. For both Bretford and Toney, the move has paid dividends.
