Ollie Watkins has completed a £51 million transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal from Aston Villa. The 30-year-old striker has signed a three-year contract with the Riyadh-based club.
Watkins, who is Aston Villa's record Premier League scorer with 91 goals, was a key figure in the club's resurgence under manager Unai Emery. During his six years at Villa Park, the team established itself as a consistent top-six contender in the Premier League and secured their first European trophy in 44 years by winning the Europa Conference League.
He made himself unavailable for Aston Villa's Premier League opener against Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend, a decision manager Unai Emery stated Watkins had apologized for.
"Firstly, I would like to say, never did I intend, nor did I imagine, my time at Aston Villa would end this way," Watkins posted on social media. "With that being said, I am eternally grateful for the last six years. Not only has it shaped me as a player, but as a person. We've been through so many ups and downs in my six seasons here, but one thing that has never changed is that I have given everything for this club."