The Italian international striker moved this summer from Fiorentina, where, like all Serie A clubs, practice sessions take place behind closed doors.

“I am so happy that women and girls show up in training,” Toni said in an interview with German paper Die Welt on Wednesday. “It is nice to see females around while training.”

Toni is 30 years old and he is currently dating Italian model Marta Cecchetto.

“I believe training among fans is very positive. In Italy, we train privately but I think this should change,” he said.