Lionesses star Ella Toone has been celebrating her recent engagement in Ibiza alongside England team-mates and other women's football players.
Toone announced her engagement to boyfriend Joe Bunney last summer, days after England beat Spain in Switzerland to win a second straight European Championship title. She has now returned to Ibiza, where the couple got engaged, to celebrate her upcoming wedding with friends and family, including fellow Lionesses Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp and Georgia Stanway. Former England goalkeeper Mary Earps, who has been linked with a move to London City Lionesses in the WSL this summer, also attended.
The group was seen at Wayne Lineker's beach club, known for its yellow umbrellas, before heading to Ushuaïa on Ibiza's party strip. Wayne Lineker is the brother of Gary Lineker. Toone shared photos online captioned: "The best hen with all my favourite people. Ibiza I (love) you. Bring on the wedding!! Shoutout to the best MOH in the business … what would I do without you (Russo)".
Stag do crossover with darts star
The Lionesses also ran into darts player Nathan Aspinall, a Manchester United supporter, who was in Ibiza for his own stag do. He posted photos with Toone captioned "Stag and hen together. Git up Manchester", and shared a picture with Earps writing "England legend". DJs Calvin Harris, David Guetta and Swedish House Mafia all hold residencies at Ushuaïa.
Other England stars in Ibiza
Lionesses captain Leah Williamson also shared photos from the island, alongside England players Keira Walsh, Alex Greenwood and Jess Park. Hemp, who helped Manchester City win a domestic double this season, replied to Toone's post: "Thanks for the unofficial inviteeee". Chelsea forward Cole Palmer was seen at the same beach club a fortnight earlier, sharing a drink with Wayne Lineker after missing out on selection for England's World Cup squad.
Russo on Toone's return from injury
Ahead of England's World Cup qualifiers against Spain and Ukraine, Russo spoke about Toone's return to the Lionesses camp after nearly six months out. "I'm so happy. I was telling her for weeks that I couldn't wait to see her. She's my comfort blanket in camp and I missed her when she wasn't here," Russo said. "Everyone kept asking me if I was OK, and I was fine, but it is nice to have her here and she's worked so hard to get back. Injuries are rubbish and I think she's really matured over the last year or two, but within her body over the last six months or so." Russo, who is serving as maid of honour, added: "The hen do is all ready to go. We'll get these two big games out of the way and then we'll let our hair down."
Coping with her father's death
Toone has spoken openly about losing her father, Nick, to cancer in September 2024. The day after she scored in England's 2-1 win over Germany in the 2022 European Championship final, her father had just been diagnosed with prostate cancer, though he had told only his wife and brother. "He didn't want anyone worrying about him," Toone told the BBC. "He wasn't well throughout the tournament. I'm finding out more and more about it now that he's not here."
Toone did not learn her father was ill until the day after Manchester United won the FA Cup final at Wembley in May 2024. He died in September 2024, and she returned to training the following day. "I went straight back into football because I knew that's what he would have wanted," she said. "I started the first game at Old Trafford. It was really difficult, but I felt like that's what I needed to do in that moment. I needed to play; I couldn't just be sat around moping about, thinking about it all the time. I knew he would have been there and been watching."
A calf injury in November forced her to stop. She returned by scoring a long-range goal against West Brom, later voted the 2024-25 Goal of the Season, pointing to the sky in tribute to her father.
Bunney's support and the ET7 academy
Toone has credited Bunney with helping her through her grief, describing him as a "rock" for her family. Bunney took over her father's plan to set up a girls' football academy, ET7, after his own playing career ended in 2025. "The academy brought us together, even though it is very stressful," Toone said. "I think his hard work goes unnoticed, but definitely not by me. Setting up the academy is part of dad's legacy. He loved being part of something that he knew would help young girls have opportunities."
Toone received an MBE last year for her services to football. Fellow Lionesses Russo, Hannah Hampton, Chloe Kelly, Michelle Agyemang, Lauren James and Jess Carter this week also received the honour for helping England retain their European Championship title last summer.
