- Ivan Toney joined Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli in August 2024 for a reported £40 million transfer fee from Brentford.
- Toney scored 31 goals during the 2020–21 EFL Championship season, setting a single-season record at the time to lead Brentford to Premier League promotion.
- In May 2023, Toney received an eight-month ban from all football activities after admitting to 232 breaches of FA Rule E8 on gambling.
- Toney scored 20 Premier League goals during the 2022–23 season, finishing third in the Golden Boot race behind Erling Haaland and Harry Kane.
- He represented England at UEFA Euro 2024, providing a crucial assist against Slovakia and converting a no-look penalty against Switzerland in the quarter-finals.
Ivan Toney is an English professional striker who plays for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli and the England national team. Renowned for his physical presence, clinical finishing, and exceptional penalty record, Toney established himself as one of England’s premier forwards during his time at Brentford before securing a high-profile transfer to Saudi Arabia in August 2024. His career encompasses landmark achievements across the Football League, top-tier Premier League scoring titles, and international tournament appearances.
Who is Ivan Toney? Career Overview and Playing Style
Ivan Benjamin Elijah Toney was born on March 16, 1996, in Northampton, England. He began his professional football journey at Northampton Town, making his senior debut in November 2012 at age 16 to become the youngest player in the club’s history. After signing with Newcastle United in 2015, Toney endured multiple loan spells at Barnsley, Shrewsbury Town, Scunthorpe United, and Wigan Athletic before securing a permanent transfer to Peterborough United in August 2018. At Peterborough, he scored 49 goals in 94 appearances over two seasons, attracting interest from higher-tier clubs.
Toney is widely regarded as an elite, complete center-forward. Standing 5 feet 10 inches (1.79 meters) tall, he combines physical strength, hold-up play, tactical movement, and aerial ability with clinical finishing. Beyond open-play threat, Toney possesses a famous “no-look” penalty technique—staring directly at the goalkeeper during his run-up rather than down at the ball—which has yielded one of the highest penalty conversion rates in modern professional football.
How Did Ivan Toney Rise to Stardom at Brentford?
In August 2020, Ivan Toney transferred to Brentford FC for an initial fee of £5 million plus add-ons, tasked with replacing outgoing striker Ollie Watkins. During his debut 2020–21 season in the EFL Championship, Toney scored 31 goals in 45 league matches. This tally broke the record for most goals in a single Championship season at the time and propelled Brentford to Premier League promotion via the play-offs.
Toney transitioned seamlessly to English top-flight football, scoring 12 Premier League goals in the 2021–22 season. He elevated his performance further during the 2022–23 campaign, scoring 20 Premier League goals in 33 matches to finish as the third-highest goalscorer in the division behind Erling Haaland and Harry Kane. Across his four-year tenure at Brentford, Toney registered 72 goals and 23 assists in 141 appearances across all competitions.
| Club | Years Active | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northampton Town | 2012–2015 | 60 | 13 |
| Newcastle United | 2015–2018 | 4 | 0 |
| Peterborough United | 2018–2020 | 94 | 49 |
| Brentford | 2020–2024 | 141 | 72 |
| Al-Ahli | 2024–present | — | — |
What Were the Details of Ivan Toney’s FA Betting Suspension?
In May 2023, the Football Association (FA) imposed an eight-month suspension from all football-related activities on Ivan Toney after he admitted to 232 breaches of FA Rule E8 regarding gambling. The charges involved bets placed between February 2017 and January 2021, a period covering his playing stints at Northampton Town, Newcastle United, Wigan Athletic, Scunthorpe United, and Peterborough United.
Alongside the eight-month ban, Toney was fined £50,000 and required to complete a course of treatment following an official diagnosis of gambling addiction. The FA’s written reasons noted that while 29 bets involved matches connected to Toney’s parent clubs, 13 were placed on his own team to lose across 7 distinct matches, though Toney did not play in any of those games. Toney made his official competitive return on January 20, 2024, scoring a free-kick as Brentford captain in a 3–2 win over Nottingham Forest.
Why Did Ivan Toney Transfer to Al-Ahli in 2024?
On transfer deadline day, August 30, 2024, Ivan Toney completed a permanent transfer from Brentford to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli for a reported fee of £40 million ($52 million). Entering the final year of his Brentford contract, Toney had drawn interest from European clubs including Chelsea and Arsenal before finalizing agreement with the Jeddah-based club.
The financial terms of the contract were significant, with reports estimating Toney’s wage at over £400,000 per week tax-free. Joining Al-Ahli placed Toney alongside high-profile international teammates such as former Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez, former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino, and goalkeeper Édouard Mendy, operating under manager Matthias Jaissle.
What is Ivan Toney’s Record with the England National Team?
Ivan Toney received his first senior England national team call-up in September 2022 and made his official international debut on March 26, 2023, coming on as a substitute against Ukraine during a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying fixture. He scored his first international goal on March 26, 2024, converting a penalty in a 2–2 friendly draw against Belgium at Wembley Stadium.
England manager Gareth Southgate selected Toney for the final 26-man squad at UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany. Toney made key contributions during the knockout rounds, assisting Harry Kane’s winning header against Slovakia in the round of 16. In the quarter-final penalty shootout victory against Switzerland, Toney converted his spot-kick using his signature no-look technique, helping England advance to the tournament final.
Key Milestones in Ivan Toney’s Career
- 2012: Professional debut for Northampton Town at age 16.
- 2020–21: Scored 31 goals in EFL Championship, winning promotion with Brentford.
- 2022–23: Scored 20 Premier League goals; made senior England debut.
- 2023–24: Returned from an eight-month FA suspension; selected for England’s UEFA Euro 2024 squad.
- 2024: Transferred to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli for £40 million.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which club does Ivan Toney currently play for?
Ivan Toney plays as a striker for Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli, having completed a transfer from Premier League side Brentford on August 30, 2024, for a reported transfer fee of £40 million.
Why was Ivan Toney suspended in 2023?
The Football Association (FA) suspended Ivan Toney for eight months in May 2023 after he admitted to 232 breaches of FA Rule E8 regarding football betting between February 2017 and January 2021.
How many Premier League goals has Ivan Toney scored?
Ivan Toney scored 36 Premier League goals in total across his career with Brentford, including 12 goals in 2021–22, 20 goals in 2022–23, and 4 goals in 2023–24.
What is Ivan Toney's penalty kick technique?
Ivan Toney uses a distinct 'no-look' penalty technique where he maintains continuous eye contact with the goalkeeper during his slow run-up rather than looking at the ball, allowing him to react to the goalkeeper's movement before striking.