After what’s been a whirlwind year for Ivan Toney—from an FA ban to a massive career move to Saudi Arabia—the England striker’s recent return to London ended on a frustrating note. And no, it wasn’t football-related.
A Dream Move to Saudi Arabia
Last summer, Toney made headlines with his high-profile transfer to Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia.
After months of speculation about where he’d land, the 29-year-old inked a reported £20 million-per-year deal and headed to Jeddah, the kingdom’s vibrant coastal city.
Not long after, he celebrated a major career milestone—helping his new team lift the Asian Champions League trophy following a 2-0 win over Kawasaki Frontale.
From Ban to Breakthrough
Toney’s move came after a long road back into the game.
Just six months prior, he had returned to football following an eight-month suspension for breaching the FA’s gambling rules—232 breaches, to be exact, between 2017 and 2021.
That chapter ended with a diagnosis of gambling addiction, which makes his new life in Saudi Arabia—where gambling is illegal—particularly notable.
Trouble Back in London
Now on his offseason break, Toney returned to the UK to spend time with family.
But his welcome back wasn’t exactly warm. Posting to Instagram, the striker revealed that his luxury Lamborghini Urus—valued at nearly £200,000—had been broken into.
The window was smashed, though it’s unclear whether anything was taken.
He didn’t hold back his feelings, captioning the photo with a blunt: “This is why I hate London.”
A Family Moment Before the Incident
Only a few days before the break-in, Toney had shared a more wholesome moment.
In a short clip on social media, he was seen training with his sons—Ivan Junior and Ikari—alongside his long-time partner, Katie Bio.
The video showed the family in good spirits, highlighting the balance Toney has tried to maintain between his high-stakes career and being a dad.
His Connection to Jeddah (and Milton Keynes?)
While he once called London home during his four-year stint with Brentford, Toney now appears to be far more smitten with life in Jeddah.
Interestingly, reports suggest he sees similarities between the Saudi city and Milton Keynes—where he once lived and first got together with Katie Bio.
Living Under Special Rules in Saudi Arabia
Despite Saudi Arabia’s strict cultural and religious norms, Toney and Bio are reportedly living together out of wedlock—a rare exception in the country.
But they’re not the only ones. Football royalty Cristiano Ronaldo and his partner Georgina Rodriguez have also received similar allowances, reflecting the unique privileges afforded to elite athletes.