Ollie Watkins Completes £51m Transfer to Al Hilal

Ollie Watkins has completed his transfer from Aston Villa to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal, ending a six-year tenure in which he became the club's record Premier League goalscorer. The England international's move, finalized on August 30, 2026, was confirmed for a reported fee of approximately £51 million. His departure is part of a significant summer overhaul at Villa Park, following the exits of several other key players. Watkins joined Villa from Brentford in 2020 for a then-club-record fee and scored 108 goals in 278 appearances across all competitions. His 91 Premier League goals make him the most prolific scorer in the division for the club. He was also the first player in the modern era to score over 100 goals for Villa, achieving the milestone against Bologna last season. During his time at the club, he became an England international and played a key role in Villa's UEFA Europa League victory last season. In a statement, the club praised Watkins for his "ruthless streak" and "selfless work ethic," wishing him "the very best wishes." Watkins posted an emotional farewell on social media, writing, "Six amazing years have come to an end.