Ollie Watkins has sealed a switch to Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal, bringing an end to a six-year association with Aston Villa that saw him rise to become the club's all-time leading Premier League scorer. The 30-year-old striker has signed a three-year contract in a deal reported to be worth £51million, with two years still remaining on his previous Villa terms.
The move caps a turbulent close-season for Villa, who have now seen a string of key figures depart following their Europa League triumph last term. Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne and Emiliano Martinez have all left Villa Park in recent weeks, stripping much of the spine from Unai Emery's trophy-winning squad.
Watkins arrived from Brentford for £28million back in 2020 and went on to become an integral figure in Villa's resurgence under Emery, netting 91 Premier League goals and 108 across all competitions. He was central to the club's return to European football and their run to Europa League glory last season, contributing 21 goals in all competitions including five in the continental campaign.
His departure comes shortly after he opted out of Villa's opening-day Premier League fixture against Brighton, a match the club lost 4-0. Emery later revealed that Watkins had apologised for making himself unavailable for that game, though the manager was clearly moved by the striker's exit, admitting to shedding