Ellie Watkins, wife of Aston Villa footballer Ollie Watkins, celebrated "new beginnings" at a leaving party with friends and family before her family's relocation to Saudi Arabia. The event, organized by her twin sister Sofia Alderson, took place on Saturday, with Ellie sharing snapshots on Instagram.
The couple, both 30, are moving to Riyadh with their two young children following Ollie Watkins' transfer from Aston Villa to Saudi club Al-Hilal for a reported £51 million. Ellie had returned to the UK for a few days to finalize moving arrangements.
Watkins shared her feelings about the transition, noting that "things are coming together" after previously expressing emotional turmoil about the move. She documented the party, which included a candle-lit dinner prepared by a private chef and a celebratory cake. "Feeling excited now things are starting to come together," she wrote on Instagram.
Earlier in the week, Ellie had also shared updates about their initial days in Saudi Arabia, posting family photos from Al Hilal Saudi Club. She described the move as a "bittersweet" experience in an emotional TikTok video, reflecting on their six years in Birmingham where they had their children and established friendships. "My heart is hurting as we end the most amazing 6 years at Villa," she stated.
Despite acknowledging the emotional difficulty of leaving their established life, Watkins expressed optimism for the change. "I am excited for a change of scenery, I think it's going to be amazing for the kids and I think they are going to have the best time ever," she said. She also mentioned feeling "a little nervous" but recalled similar feelings when they initially moved to Birmingham.
There have been some logistical challenges, including the children not starting their new school as originally planned. Ellie noted the juggle of keeping her children, Amara, five, and Marley, three, entertained while managing other arrangements. "And solo parenting. Kids didn't start school this week as originally planned so trying to keep them entertained and everything else that needs to be done is a juggle," she shared.
The family's move marks the end of an "amazing chapter" in Birmingham and the beginning of a new adventure in Saudi Arabia, with Ellie expressing gratitude for the experiences and friendships made during their time at Aston Villa.