Ivan Toney invites his friends to join him in Saudi Arabia in emotional leaving speech – after the striker completed his move to Al Ahli in a deal worth around £400,000-per-week

Footage has emerged showing Ivan Toney saying goodbye to his loved ones in preparation for his move to Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli.

The 28-year-old’s future has been the subject of much speculation this summer as he enters the final year of his Brentford contract.

Chelsea were among the clubs reportedly interested in Toney, although no deal had been completed by the closing date.

In the end, Ah Ahli won, paying Brentford £40 million to secure his signature and offering a salary package reported to be in the region of £400,000-a-week, making him one of the highest-paid Englishmen in football history.

Before moving permanently to the Middle East, Toney invited his loved ones to join him and in his farewell speech he promised that they were all welcome to come visit.

Footage has emerged of Ivan Toney giving a farewell speech to close friends before joining Al Ahli

The 28-year-old is set to receive a significant pay rise in the Middle East and has promised his loved ones that flights will be on him if they choose to visit the country.

“It’s a simple question, it’s obvious you’re excited to come,” Toney said.

‘You know love. You’re all invited for your own reasons, we all have good memories, I’m sure we have more. Maybe a little older, but we’re still going to work on it, you know, like that.

“But yes, you are all welcome to come anytime. Flights are on me. Don’t worry, I have you. We will enjoy it.”

Toney has not played a competitive match since playing a brief role in England’s Euro 2024 final in July, where they lost to Spain.

Gareth Southgate has since left as England manager and his interim successor Lee Carsley has dropped Toney from his first-team since taking over.

Carsley stressed on Friday that Toney’s move to the Middle East does not necessarily mean the end of his international career.

“I’ve thought about that too, to be honest,” he said Friday.

“I think as interim head coach I can’t rule anyone out in the end. It would be really interesting to see Ivan play and see the level, the pace and the standard.

England interim manager Lee Carsley suggested Toney could still have a future at international level despite not including the striker in his first-team squad

“We have access to the games so I will definitely follow his progression there. It would be good to go and see a real live game to get the atmosphere and the pace of the game because sometimes you don’t quite get that on video.

‘So yes, he is certainly not ruled out. We have to be careful… I have a perception of the football there, but I have not been there and have not seen it.

“I think it would be reckless to rule someone out or drop them. He’s certainly not ruled out and yes, I would like to go and see what the football is like there.”