Ivan Toney set to make Al-Ahli debut against Cristiano Ronaldo TONIGHT in Saudi baptism of fire
IVAN TONEY is set to make his debut for new club Al-Ahli TONIGHT.
Toney, 28, completed a £40million transfer from Brentford on deadline day.
The England star was forced to wait to make his debut for the Saudi Pro League side due to the international break.
However, it has now been reported that Toney is set to be thrown straight into the starting XI.
According to Ben Jacobs, manager Matthias Jaissle has been impressed with how quickly Toney has settled into the Middle East.
Toney’s fitness and form in training are also said to have left the former RB Salzburg boss impressed.
His first game will be against Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Al-Nassr at 7pm UK time tonight.
Home advantage will also go to Ronaldo’s team at Al-Awwal Park.
Form-wise, Al-Ahli won their first league game of the season before losing their second, while Al-Nassr drew their first and won their second.
Toney’s first league game in front of the home crowd at the King Abdullah Sports City stadium will come on September 20 against Damac FC.
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However, Toney has joined a host of big names from European football at the Jeddah-based outfit.
These include Premier League title winners Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino, as well as Champions League winner Edouard Mendy.
Toney’s deal is understood to be seeing him pocket around £403,000 a week, but that is less than HALF the weekly sum earned by ex-Manchester City and Leicester winger Mahrez on £850,000 a week.
The squad also includes Franck Kessie, Gabri Veiga, Roger Ibanez and Merih Demiral.