Last Updated on September 23, 2026 by Miguel Manjate
Idan Toklomati is an Israeli professional footballer who plays as a forward for Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer and represents Israel internationally. Born on August 9, 2004, in Netanya, Israel, Toklomati developed through Beitar Nes Tubruk and Maccabi Petah Tikva before moving to the United States in 2024. His rise in MLS has continued a remarkable family football story that began years before he was born.
Toklomati is the son of former Benin international footballer Tony Toklomety and Israeli former journalist Iris Gorno. His childhood was unusual because his father lived in Benin while Idan was raised primarily by his mother in Israel. Toklomati did not meet Tony in person until around his Bar Mitzvah, and their reunion eventually became the subject of the documentary Toklomati. As of now, there is no reliable public confirmation of a girlfriend, wife, children or siblings.
Does Idan Toklomati Have a Girlfriend?
Idan Toklomati has not publicly confirmed a girlfriend through reliable recent interviews, Charlotte FC material or established Israeli sports reporting.
Most of the attention surrounding his personal life has focused on his unusual family history, particularly his relationship with his mother and father. Toklomati himself has spoken in considerable detail about growing up without his father physically present, but he has revealed very little about romantic relationships.
Social-media photographs or interactions should not automatically be used to identify someone as his girlfriend. Without direct confirmation from Toklomati or reporting from a dependable source, doing so would risk turning speculation into biography.
Is Idan Toklomati Married?
There is no reliable public information confirming that Idan Toklomati is married. His official Charlotte FC profile and recent reports covering his career do not identify a wife or spouse.
Toklomati remains relatively private about his romantic life, so his current relationship status should be treated as private unless he chooses to disclose more information publicly.
Does Idan Toklomati Have Children?
There is no reliable public information confirming that Idan Toklomati has children.
Extensive Israeli coverage of his family background, including interviews with his mother and Toklomati himself, has not identified him as a father. Charlotte FC’s official material likewise does not mention children.
Who Are Idan Toklomati’s Parents?
Idan Toklomati’s parents are Tony Toklomety and Iris Gorno. Different sources transliterate the family names slightly differently, with Tony sometimes written as Toklomati and Iris’s surname also appearing as Jorno or Gorno in English.
The story of how his parents met became well known in Israeli football. Tony was a professional footballer from Benin who joined Maccabi Netanya in 2003, while Iris was working as a journalist in the Netanya area.
Iris was sent to interview Tony, and the two subsequently developed a relationship. Shortly before Tony left Israel amid a widely reported controversy surrounding claims about his age and registration, Iris discovered that she was pregnant with Idan.
Idan was born in Netanya in August 2004 and remained in Israel with his mother, while Tony returned to Benin. This geographical separation shaped much of Toklomati’s childhood.
Idan Toklomati’s Mother: Iris Gorno
Idan Toklomati’s mother is Iris Gorno, an Israeli former journalist who raised him in Israel.
Among all the people Toklomati has discussed publicly, his mother is arguably the person he credits most strongly. In an extensive interview about his childhood, he described Iris as effectively filling numerous family roles at once because his father was living abroad.
Toklomati has explained that Iris was always closely involved in his life while still trying not to interfere excessively with his football. According to him, she knew what was happening in his career and supported him without attempting to control every decision.
Iris also became one of her son’s most visible supporters. She regularly attended his matches in Israel and followed his international career with the country’s youth teams.
Iris Gorno Raised Idan Largely on Her Own
Because Tony remained in Benin, Iris carried most of the responsibility for raising Idan in Israel.
The family’s story was not always financially easy. Material connected with the documentary about them describes Iris moving between rented homes, searching for work and continuing to support her son while he developed into one of the most promising players of his age group.
Her brother, Motti, also played an important role in the wider family support system and at one point helped manage Idan’s contractual and football-related affairs.
Iris became convinced early that her son had unusual athletic ability. In one interview, she joked that his football talent clearly came from his father rather than from her.
She recalled taking Idan to an orthopedist as a child because she was concerned about the shape of his legs. According to her account, the doctor reassured her and joked that they looked like the legs of a footballer.
Idan Toklomati’s Father: Tony Toklomety
Idan Toklomati’s father is Tony Stanislas Toklomety, a former professional footballer from Benin.
Tony played primarily as a defender and represented several clubs during a career that included Maccabi Netanya in Israel, MŠK Žilina in Slovakia and Enyimba in Nigeria.
He also represented the Benin national team. Football records credit him with 19 senior international appearances, and he was part of Benin’s squad at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations.
This makes Idan a second-generation international footballer. While Tony represented Benin, his son chose to represent Israel, the country where he was born and raised.
Why Did Idan Toklomati Grow Up Without His Father?
Tony’s period in Israeli football ended amid controversy in 2003. Israeli media reported allegations concerning whether the age associated with his registration was accurate. The issue became highly publicized, although later accounts noted that the allegation was disputed and never conclusively established.
Tony subsequently left Israel and returned to Benin. Iris was pregnant with Idan at the time.
After Tony left, difficulties obtaining permission for him to return to Israel meant father and son remained separated for years.
Idan therefore grew up knowing who his father was but without having him physically present in his everyday life.
When Did Idan Toklomati First Meet His Father?
Idan did not meet Tony in person until he was around 13 years old, near the time of his Bar Mitzvah.
Iris had promised her son that he would meet his father by that milestone. Making it happen proved complicated because Tony needed permission to enter Israel and the family was required to arrange a substantial financial guarantee for his visa.
The process of trying to reunite father and son became the central story of the documentary Toklomati, released in 2018.
The film followed Iris as she tried to bring Tony back to Israel while also confronting questions about what his return would mean for the family.
Tony eventually received permission to visit, allowing Idan to meet his father face-to-face for the first time.
The Documentary About Idan Toklomati’s Family
The unusual circumstances surrounding the family were documented in the Israeli film Toklomati, directed by Gad Aisen, David Ofek and Shir Ben.
The documentary was screened at the Jerusalem Film Festival and tells the story of Iris attempting to reunite Idan with Tony before her son’s Bar Mitzvah.
At the center of the film is not simply football but the relationship between a child, his mother and a father living thousands of kilometers away.
The documentary means that Toklomati’s childhood family story became publicly known years before he emerged as a professional footballer himself.
What Relationship Does Idan Toklomati Have With His Father Today?
Toklomati has spoken candidly about having a complicated but continuing relationship with Tony.
In an Israeli interview during his rise with Maccabi Petah Tikva, Idan explained that because he had not grown up with his father, developing the emotional connection normally associated with a parent was difficult.
He said the two communicated occasionally through FaceTime and WhatsApp rather than speaking every day.
Language also created a barrier. Tony speaks French, while Idan said he was not fluent enough in French for easy conversation. Iris therefore sometimes helped translate between father and son.
Toklomati also revealed that his mother regularly sent Tony updates, videos and information about his football career in Israel.
Tony Toklomety Has Followed His Son’s Football Career
Despite the physical distance, Tony has continued following Idan’s progress.
During Israel’s remarkable run at the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, Iris explained that Tony was watching his son from abroad.
She also said Tony hoped Idan would eventually move overseas because that could make it easier for him to travel and see his son play regularly.
That possibility eventually became reality when Toklomati left Israeli football and moved to Charlotte in 2024.
His career therefore brought him into a more internationally accessible environment after spending his youth and early professional years in Israel.
How Much Did Iris Gorno Influence Idan Toklomati?
Toklomati has made especially strong statements about his appreciation for his mother.
When asked about the absence of his father during everyday childhood life, he emphasized that Iris had filled nearly every parental and family role he needed.
He credited her with staying involved in his football, protecting him and following his development without attempting to dominate his decisions.
Her support was visible throughout his youth career, from Beitar Nes Tubruk through Maccabi Petah Tikva and Israel’s national youth teams.
The relationship between mother and son is therefore arguably the best-documented part of Toklomati’s family life.
Does Idan Toklomati Have Siblings?
No brother or sister of Idan Toklomati has been reliably identified in the authoritative public sources reviewed for this profile.
Extensive reporting about his mother, father and childhood repeatedly describes the family story but does not clearly establish that Idan has siblings.
This is important because Tony lived much of his life in Benin after leaving Israel, and publicly available reporting does not provide enough information to establish whether Idan has any paternal half-siblings either.
For that reason, it would be inaccurate to claim that Toklomati is definitely an only child or to attach names to supposed brothers and sisters without supporting evidence.
Idan Toklomati’s Extended Family
Although siblings remain undocumented, several members of Toklomati’s extended maternal family have appeared in reporting.
His uncle Motti, Iris’s brother, played a particularly important role while Idan was young. Material about the family documentary describes Motti as helping manage the young footballer’s contractual interests.
Iris has also publicly mentioned her sister. During an interview following a difficult Maccabi Petah Tikva match, she revealed that she had been sitting in the stands together with her sister.
In 2023, Iris returned early from Israel’s UEFA Under-21 Championship campaign in Georgia because she needed to attend a nephew’s wedding. The family even delayed parts of the wedding celebration while following Idan and Israel in the semifinal.
These stories show that Toklomati was raised within a wider Israeli family network despite his father living abroad.
Idan Toklomati’s Beninese and Israeli Heritage
Toklomati’s identity combines two very different family backgrounds.
Through Tony, he has Beninese heritage and a direct connection with African international football. Through Iris, he was raised in an Israeli Jewish household in Netanya.
Toklomati has represented Israel throughout his international career, beginning with the country’s youth teams.
He was part of Israel’s successful generation that reached the final of the 2022 UEFA European Under-19 Championship and later represented the country at Under-21 level.
He subsequently progressed to Israel’s senior national team, continuing an international football tradition already established by his father with Benin.
Idan Toklomati’s Childhood Football Career
Toklomati began playing organized football in his hometown of Netanya.
He joined the youth system of Beitar Nes Tubruk when he was around eight years old and spent much of his childhood developing there.
His athletic ability made him an increasingly highly rated prospect, and in 2021 he joined Maccabi Petah Tikva.
The move brought another interesting family connection because his father had played professionally in Israeli football almost two decades earlier.
Toklomati progressed rapidly and made his senior debut for Maccabi Petah Tikva in April 2022.
Idan Toklomati’s Breakthrough at Maccabi Petah Tikva
After Maccabi Petah Tikva suffered relegation, Toklomati played a major role in helping the club return to Israel’s top division.
He scored 11 league goals during the 2022–23 promotion campaign and continued developing into one of the country’s most highly regarded young forwards.
His performances earned him international opportunities and interest from clubs abroad.
Toklomati has said that one of his personal ambitions was to become known simply as Idan rather than constantly being introduced as the son of Tony Toklomety.
His progress at club and international level increasingly allowed him to establish that independent identity.
Idan Toklomati’s Move to Charlotte
Toklomati left Maccabi Petah Tikva for Charlotte FC’s organization in August 2024.
He initially joined Crown Legacy FC, Charlotte’s MLS NEXT Pro affiliate, and quickly impressed by scoring three goals and adding two assists in seven appearances.
Charlotte FC promoted him to the first team on September 18, 2024.
The move represented Toklomati’s first professional experience living outside Israel, fulfilling the type of overseas transition his father had long hoped to see.
Idan Toklomati’s Breakthrough With Charlotte FC
Toklomati enjoyed a major breakthrough during the 2025 MLS season.
He developed into one of Charlotte’s most dangerous attacking players and scored 11 regular-season goals, including a memorable hat trick against Inter Miami.
Charlotte FC later highlighted his performances in the MLS Young Player of the Year discussion, while the league ranked him among its leading players under the age of 22.
His emergence ensured that the Toklomati name was once again attracting attention in professional football—but this time because of Idan’s own achievements rather than the story surrounding his father.
Idan Toklomati’s New Charlotte FC Contract
Charlotte FC rewarded Toklomati’s development with a new long-term contract announced in February 2026.
The agreement is guaranteed through the 2028–29 MLS season and contains an option for 2029–30.
General manager Zoran Krneta described Toklomati as one of Major League Soccer’s brightest young talents and emphasized how quickly he had developed after arriving in Charlotte at 19.
The contract provides significant stability for a player whose childhood family story was shaped by separation between two countries.
How Important Is Family to Idan Toklomati?
Family has played an unusually visible role in Toklomati’s story from the beginning.
His father provided the genetic and football connection to professional sport, but Tony’s absence meant that Iris became the dominant figure in Idan’s childhood.
Toklomati has openly credited his mother with handling virtually every role he needed while he was growing up. At the same time, Iris worked to ensure that Tony remained informed about their son’s life and ultimately made enormous efforts so father and son could meet.
The family’s experience was significant enough to become a documentary before Idan had even reached professional football.
Today, Toklomati has begun creating his own identity as an international footballer while still carrying the Israeli and Beninese heritage represented by his parents.
Frequently Asked Questions About Idan Toklomati’s Family
Who is Idan Toklomati’s girlfriend?
Idan Toklomati has not publicly confirmed a girlfriend through reliable recent interviews, club sources or established sports reporting. His current relationship status remains private.
Is Idan Toklomati married?
There is no reliable public confirmation that Idan Toklomati is married.
Does Idan Toklomati have children?
No children have been publicly confirmed for Idan Toklomati through reliable sources.
Who are Idan Toklomati’s parents?
Idan Toklomati’s parents are Iris Gorno and Tony Toklomety. Iris is an Israeli former journalist, while Tony is a former professional footballer from Benin.
Who is Idan Toklomati’s mother?
Idan Toklomati’s mother is Iris Gorno. She raised him primarily in Israel and has been one of the most important influences in his personal life and football career.
Who is Idan Toklomati’s father?
Idan’s father is Tony Stanislas Toklomety, a former Benin international defender who played for clubs including Maccabi Netanya, MŠK Žilina and Enyimba.
Was Idan Toklomati’s father a professional footballer?
Yes. Tony Toklomety played professional football in several countries and represented Benin internationally, including as part of the country’s 2004 Africa Cup of Nations squad.
Did Idan Toklomati grow up with his father?
No. Idan was raised primarily by his mother in Israel while Tony lived in Benin. Father and son maintained a long-distance connection but did not meet in person until Idan was around Bar Mitzvah age.
When did Idan Toklomati first meet his father?
Idan first met Tony in person when he was around 13 years old. His mother’s efforts to arrange the reunion became the central subject of the documentary Toklomati.
Does Idan Toklomati have siblings?
No siblings have been reliably identified in authoritative public sources. It is therefore not possible to confirm whether Toklomati has brothers, sisters or paternal half-siblings.
Is there a documentary about Idan Toklomati’s family?
Yes. The 2018 documentary Toklomati follows Iris Gorno’s efforts to bring Tony back to Israel so that Idan could meet his father for the first time around his Bar Mitzvah.
Where was Idan Toklomati born?
Idan Toklomati was born on August 9, 2004, in Netanya, Israel.
What club does Idan Toklomati play for?
Idan Toklomati plays for Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer. In February 2026, he signed a new contract guaranteed through the 2028–29 MLS season with an option for 2029–30.
Miguel Manjate is a football journalist and editor covering the Premier League, European competitions, and transfer news, with a strong focus on match analysis and data-driven reporting.
