Al-Hilal have officially announced the signing of Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa in a deal worth £50 million.
The 31-year-old striker leaves Villa after six seasons at the club, having joined from Brentford in the summer of 2020. Watkins scored 105 goals in 276 appearances for Aston Villa during his time at Villa Park.
Watkins still had two years remaining on his contract, which he renewed in October 2023, while Villa had also offered him a new four-year deal in an attempt to convince him to stay.
However, Al-Hilal’s lucrative contract offer was something Villa could not match, and Watkins had already decided weeks ago that he wanted to make the move to Saudi Arabia.
The striker did not make himself available for Aston Villa’s opening Premier League fixture against Brighton, which Villa lost 4-0, as he looked to avoid jeopardising his move.
His departure now brings an end to Watkins’ successful spell with Aston Villa, with the England international set to begin a new chapter in Saudi Arabia.