Watkins completes £51m move to Saudi side Al-Hilal
Ollie Watkins has transferred from Aston Villa to the Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal for £51 million. The 30-year-old striker, a key figure in Villa's recent success, signed a three-year deal after a tenure that included winning the Europa League.
Why it matters
This move reflects the ongoing trend of high-profile European football talent moving to the Saudi Pro League, impacting the competitive landscape of global football.
Published 30 August 2026, 17:47 BST Updated 5 minutes ago Ollie Watkins has completed his £51m move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal from Aston Villa .
The 30-year-old striker, Villa's record Premier League scorer with 91 goals, joins on a three-year deal.
In six years at Villa, Watkins played a crucial role in the club's rise under manager Unai Emery as they established themselves as regular top-six challengers and won the Europa League, their first European trophy in 44 years.
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