Jon Toral

Jon Toral
White man with dark hair and beard wearing sports kit
Toral with Birmingham City in April 2016
Personal information
Full name Jon-Miquel Toral Harper[1]
Date of birth (1995-02-05) 5 February 1995[2]
Place of birth Reus, Spain
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 1⁄2 in)[2]
Playing position Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Hull City
Number 10
Youth career
0000–2003 Santes Creus
2003–2011 Barcelona
2011–2014 Arsenal
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2017 Arsenal 0 (0)
2014–2015 → Brentford (loan) 34 (6)
2015–2016 → Birmingham City (loan) 36 (8)
2016–2017 → Granada (loan) 5 (0)
2017 → Rangers (loan) 12 (2)
2017– Hull City 30 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:09, 8 September 2018 (UTC)

Jon-Miquel Toral Harper (born 5 February 1995), commonly known as Jon Toral, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Championship club Hull City.

A product of the Barcelona and Arsenal academies, Toral spent the 2014–15 season on loan to Championship club Brentford, the following season on loan to Birmingham City, also of the Championship, the first half of the 2016–17 season at La Liga club Granada and the second half at Rangers of the Scottish Premiership. He left Arsenal for Hull City in August 2017.

Club career

Barcelona

Toral was born in Reus, in the Province of Tarragona, Catalonia.[3] He began playing football as a child with his local club, UE Barri Santes Creus,[4] and signed for Barcelona in 2003, after being discovered by youth football coordinator Albert Puig.[5][6] At Barcelona, Toral quickly forged a midfield partnership with Sergi Samper. The pair would play together for eight years and were referred to as the "Samper & Toral Limited Company" in the Spanish media.[7] Toral was a part of the under-15 team which won the 2009–10 Manchester United Premier Cup.[5] He departed Barça in the summer of 2011.[3]

Arsenal

Jon Toral (right) with Arsenal against Sunderland

Toral caught the attention of Premier League club Arsenal while playing in England at the Manchester United Premier Cup in 2010.[5] Along with Barcelona youth teammate Héctor Bellerín, he signed for the Gunners in the summer of 2011[3] for a fee reported as around £300,000; Barcelona president Sandro Rosell described the deal as "a little immoral".[8] Toral began his career at Arsenal out injured with a damaged meniscus of his right knee, suffered in his final appearance for Barcelona in May 2011.[5] After recovering, Toral made his debut for the reserves in a 2–0 Premier Reserve League defeat to Aston Villa on 30 November 2011, but was injured again in January 2012.[9] Toral appeared for Arsenal in the 2012–13 NextGen Series and the 2013–14 UEFA Youth League, scoring two goals in five appearances in the latter competition.[10] He broke into the reserve team during the 2013–14 season, scoring six goals in twenty appearances.[11] Toral was called into the first team squad for pre-season friendly matches against Boreham Wood and New York Red Bulls in July 2014, making a start and a substitute appearance respectively.[12][13] Toral spent the entire 2014–15 season away on loan and impressed sufficiently to be awarded a one-year contract extension.[14] Toral was involved in Arsenal's pre-season tour of Singapore ahead of the 2015–16 season. He came on as a substitute against Singapore Selection XI on 15 July 2015 and won the penalty from which Chuba Akpom made it 3–0.[15]

Brentford (loan)

Toral joined newly promoted Championship club Brentford on a season-long loan on 15 August 2014.[11][16] After the signing, manager Mark Warburton said Toral was "an excellent addition to our group. This is a sign of the relationship we have with Arsenal and our continuing desire to add quality to our playing squad".[11] Assigned the number 17 shirt, Toral made the first professional appearance of his career with a start in a 1–0 League Cup second-round defeat to West London rivals Fulham on 26 August; he lasted 63 minutes before being substituted by Toumani Diagouraga.[17] He made his league debut in the following match against Rotherham United,[18] coming on for goalscorer Andre Gray and assisting Nick Proschwitz for the Bees' second goal in a 2–0 win.[19] After four further substitute appearances, Warburton commented that Toral had been outstanding in training and was pushing for a first team start.[20] He scored the first senior goal of his career with what proved to be a consolation in a 3–1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers on 25 October, just two minutes after coming on as a late substitute for Alex Pritchard.[21] He scored his second goal with the opener in a 3–1 win at Nottingham Forest on Bonfire Night, shooting in the box through a crowd of players.[22] Toral said in February 2015 that Griffin Park was "a great place to be now and I'm enjoying every minute of it – every game, every training session I'm learning".[23] He scored the first senior hat-trick of his career to send the Bees on the way to a 4–0 victory over Blackpool on 24 February, and took his tally to four goals in three matches in a 4–1 defeat of Huddersfield Town a week later.[24] He finished the season with 37 appearances and 6 goals, after the Bees' defeat to Middlesbrough in the playoff semi-finals.[24]

Birmingham City (loan)

White man with dark hair and beard, wearing sports kit outdoors
Toral with Birmingham City in 2016

Toral joined another Championship club, Birmingham City, on 30 July 2015 on loan for the season[25] He went straight into the starting eleven for the opening match of the season, a 2–1 win at home to Reading, and scored Birmingham's second goal with a header from Donaldson's cross.[26] The following week, he opened the scoring after 10 minutes of the visit to Burnley with a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area after Donaldson flicked on a clearance from the goalkeeper; the match ended 2–2.[27] In September, he created one goal for Donaldson with an "astute through ball catching [Bristol City's defence napping",[28] and another via a penalty awarded for a foul on Toral for which the Bristol City manager thought he should have been booked for diving.[29] Regular starts were taking their toll: Toral was rested for the win at Brentford at the end of the month[30] and made four substitute appearances in the next six matches.[31]

He returned to the starting eleven and to goalscoring in the 5–2 away win at Fulham on 7 November, when manager Gary Rowett described him as "the best player on the pitch, in terms of his composure and his vision."[32] From then on, he kept his place in the starting eleven, despite competition from January purchase Diego Fabbrini for the playmaker role,[33] until his season ended prematurely. He was sent off in stoppage time of the home defeat against Burnley on 16 April for a second yellow card,[34] and then injured a hamstring in training that kept him out for the last four matches of the season. He finished as the team's second highest scorer with eight goals. The sixth, at home to Ipswich Town in January, for which "Tomasz Kuszczak launched a free kick down the middle, Clayton Donaldson headed on and before the ball hit the ground Toral fired a dipping volley over the goalkeeper from 25 yards",[35] earned him the club's Goal of the Season award, to add to his Players' Player of the Season and Supporters' Player of the Season awards.[36]

Granada (loan)

On 12 July 2016, Toral was loaned to La Liga club Granada.[37] He made his debut for the club on 20 August, starting in a 1–1 home draw against Villarreal.[38] He scored his first goal in Spain on 30 November to win a Copa del Rey match at home to Osasuna, with a shot hit with the outside of his left foot described by Marca's reporter as the finest seen for Granada in months.[39] He made only six appearances for Granada,[2] and was recalled by Arsenal on 10 January 2017 amid expectations of a loan to Rangers of the Scottish Premiership.[40]

Rangers (loan)

On 12 January 2017, Toral joined Rangers on loan until the end of the season. He was reunited with Mark Warburton, who had managed him at Brentford.[41] Toral made his Rangers debut in a 2016–17 Scottish Cup win over Motherwell at Ibrox Stadium on 21 January,[42] and scored his first goal for the club in a Scottish Cup win over Hamilton Academical on 4 March.[43] Toral ended his loan spell with 15 appearances and 3 goals in all competitions.[44]

Hull City

After six years as an Arsenal player without making a single first-team appearance for the club, Toral signed a three-year deal with Hull City of the Championship on 24 August 2017.[45] The fee was undisclosed, but reported as £3 million.[46]

Toral made his debut against Bolton Wanderers on 25 August 2017, when he came off the bench in a 4–0 home win.[47]

Toral scored his first goal for Hull, minutes after having a penalty kick saved by Costel Pantilimon, on 10 February 2018 in a 0–2 away win at Nottingham Forest.[48]

International career

Toral was called up to the Spain under-17 squad for a friendly versus Italy on 25 January 2012, but was an unused substitute in the 5–1 win. He has also been called up to the under-19 team.[1][49] He is also eligible to represent England, because his mother is English.[49]

Personal life

Toral has an English mother and has spoken the language since early childhood.[49]

Career statistics

As of 8 September 2018.
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Arsenal 2014–15[24] Premier League000000000000
Brentford (loan) 2014–15[24] Championship 3461010—1[lower-alpha 1]0376
Birmingham City (loan) 2015–16[50] Championship3681010——388
Granada (loan) 2016–17[2] La Liga5011———61
Rangers (loan) 2016–17[44] Scottish Premiership12231———153
Hull City 2017–18[51] Championship27120———291
2018–19[52] Championship300020——50
Career total 117178240001013019
  1. ↑ Appearance in Championship play-offs

Honours

Club

Barcelona youth

Individual

  • Birmingham City Supporters' Player of the Season: 2015–16[36]
  • Birmingham City Players' Player of the Season: 2015–16[36]
  • Birmingham City Goal of the Season: 2015–16[36]

References

  1. 1 2 "Oficial: Lista de convocados de la Sub-19 masculina" [Official: Men's under-19 squad list]. sefutbol.com (in Spanish). RFEF. 3 January 2014. Archived from the original on 17 August 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Jon Toral". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 "Jon Toral". Arsenal F.C. Archived from the original on 17 August 2014.
  4. ↑ "La masia futbolística de Reus" [Reus's football farmhouse] (in Catalan). CF Reus. 28 August 2012. Archived from the original on 31 January 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Lambrou, Lambros (17 February 2012). "Young Guns: Jon Toral". Arsenal F.C. Archived from the original on 25 October 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  6. ↑ Staunton, Peter (27 February 2011). "Scouting Report: Jon Miquel Toral Harper – The latest Barcelona graduate to swap La Masia for Arsenal". Goal.com. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  7. ↑ Perarnau, Marti (23 February 2011). "Analysis: The reasons behind Toral's decision". Totalbarca.com. Translated by "buj". Archived from the original on 25 July 2012.
  8. ↑ "Wenger defends signing Barcelona youngster Jon Toral". BBC Sport. 25 February 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  9. ↑ "NextGen Series: Jon Toral". Arsenal F.C. 4 September 2012. Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  10. ↑ "Jon Toral: profile". UEFA. 3 March 2015. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 Wickham, Chris (15 August 2014). "Brentford sign Jon Toral on loan from Arsenal". Brentford F.C. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  12. ↑ Kelly, Rob (19 July 2014). "Boreham Wood 0–2 Arsenal". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  13. ↑ Clarke, Richard (26 July 2014). "New York Red Bulls 1–0 Arsenal". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  14. ↑ Pitt-Brooke, Jack (28 April 2015). "Arsenal transfer news: Former Barcelona academy product Jon Toral signs new contract after successful loan spell with Brentford". The Independent. London. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  15. ↑ Harris, Chris (15 July 2015). "Singapore Select XI 0–4 Arsenal". Arsenal F.C. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  16. ↑ "Brentford sign Jota from Celta Vigo and Jon Toral of Arsenal". BBC Sport. 15 August 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  17. ↑ "Brentford 0–1 Fulham". BBC Sport. 26 August 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  18. ↑ "Rotherham 0–2 Brentford". BBC Sport. 30 August 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  19. ↑ Street, Tim (30 August 2014). "Hogan agony tempers Brentford joy at Rotherham win". getwestlondon. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  20. ↑ Murtagh, Jacob (22 October 2014). "Arsenal youngster pushing for start, says boss". getwestlondon. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  21. ↑ "Bolton 3–1 Brentford". BBC Sport. 25 October 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  22. ↑ Phillips, Owen (5 November 2014). "Nottm Forest 1–3 Brentford". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  23. ↑ Chapman, Mark (8 February 2015). "Jon Toral is 'enjoying every minute' of Brentford loan". Brentford F.C. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  24. 1 2 3 4 "Games played by Jon Toral in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  25. ↑ "Birmingham City: Jon Toral signs on loan from Arsenal". BBC Sport. 30 July 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  26. ↑ "Birmingham 2–1 Reading". BBC Sport. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  27. ↑ "Burnley 2–2 Birmingham: Late Matthew Taylor stunner seals point". Sky Sports. 15 August 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  28. ↑ "Bristol City's defensive frailties are exposed again as Clayton Donaldson bags a hat-trick". Western Daily Press. Bristol. 14 September 2015. Archived from the original on 14 September 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  29. ↑ Dick, Brian (13 September 2015). "Birmingham City fans influenced penalty decision – Steve Cotterill". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  30. ↑ Dick, Brian (29 September 2015). "Brentford 0–2 Birmingham City". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  31. ↑ "Birmingham: Results 2015/16". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  32. ↑ "Fulham 2–5 Birmingham City". BBC Sport. 7 November 2015. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  33. ↑ Dick, Brian (16 February 2016). "Birmingham City: Gary Rowett considering double dose of creativity against Bolton". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
    Benson, Rory (16 February 2016). "Who should take Birmingham City's No.10 role: Jon Toral or Diego Fabbrini?". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  34. ↑ "Birmingham City 1–2 Burnley". BBC Sport. 16 April 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  35. ↑ Dick, Brian (21 April 2016). "Thanks for the memories Jon Toral – here's your Birmingham City best bits". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  36. 1 2 3 4 "Jon Toral nets a hat-trick at Birmingham City's end of season awards". Birmingham City F.C. 9 May 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  37. ↑ "El joven talento, Jon Toral, refuerza la medular del equipo" [Young talent Jon Toral bolsters the team's midfield] (in Spanish). Granada CF. 12 July 2016. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  38. ↑ Callero, Borja Luís (20 August 2016). "Empate justo en Los Cármenes" [Fair draw at Los Cármenes]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 20 August 2016.
  39. ↑ Melero, Delfín (30 November 2016). "El Granada acepta la Copa y la saborea" [Granada accept the Cup and savour it]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  40. ↑ Karen, Mattias (10 January 2017). "Arsenal recall Jon Toral from Granada ahead of expected Rangers loan". ESPN FC. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  41. ↑ "Jon Toral: Rangers sign midfielder on loan from Arsenal". BBC Sport. 12 January 2017. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  42. ↑ Campbell, Andy (21 January 2017). "Rangers 2–1 Motherwell". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 January 2017.
  43. ↑ Wilson, Richard (4 March 2017). "Rangers 6–0 Hamilton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 April 2017.
  44. 1 2 "Games played by Jon Toral in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  45. ↑ "Toral relishing Championship challenge". Hull City A.F.C. 24 August 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  46. ↑ Buckingham, Philip (24 August 2017). "Leonid Slutsky wants six new Hull City players as Jon Toral to be confirmed today in £3m deal from Arsenal". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  47. ↑ "Hull City 4–0 Bolton Wanderers". BBC Sport. BBC. 25 August 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2017.
  48. ↑ "Nottingham Forest 0–2 Hull City". BBC Sport. BBC. 10 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  49. 1 2 3 Kelly, Rob (23 January 2013). "Brothers in Arms". Arsenal F.C. Archived from the original on 17 August 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  50. ↑ "Games played by Jon Toral in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
  51. ↑ "Games played by Jon Toral in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  52. ↑ "Games played by Jon Toral in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 August 2018.
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