Ellie Watkins, wife of footballer Ollie Watkins, recently celebrated "new beginnings" with friends at a leaving party, as the family prepares for their relocation to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event was organized by her twin sister, Sofia Alderson.
The couple, both 30, are moving to Riyadh with their two young children following Ollie Watkins' transfer from Aston Villa to Al-Hilal for a reported £51 million. Ellie returned to the UK to finalize moving arrangements and was surprised with the gathering.
Ellie shared on Instagram that "things are coming together" after a period of emotional adjustment. She documented her preparations for the move, including a private chef-prepared dinner with friends and enjoying a cake. Earlier, she had revealed that her children, Amara, five, and Marley, three, would not be starting their new school as initially planned, leading to challenges in keeping them entertained while managing other tasks.
Despite the initial setbacks, Ellie has expressed excitement for the family's new life in Riyadh. She shared photos from their first few days in Saudi Arabia, noting her chic attire at Al Hilal Saudi Club. "Next chapter," she captioned the images, which garnered support from friends.
Previously, Ellie had spoken about the bittersweet nature of the move. In an emotional TikTok video, she described the rapid change in life circumstances, acknowledging her six years at Aston Villa as a significant period where they had their children and built a life, making it difficult to leave established friendships and routines behind. However, she also voiced optimism for a change of scenery and the positive impact it would have on her children.
Ellie also posted a tribute to Aston Villa, reflecting on their six years there. "My heart is hurting as we end the most amazing 6 years at Villa," she wrote, highlighting the birth of their children, the friendships made, and Ollie's career progression. She expressed gratitude for the experiences and the people they met, calling it the end of an "amazing chapter" and the start of a "new adventure."
The move to Saudi Arabia marks a significant transition for the Watkins family, with Ellie expressing both nervousness and excitement for what lies ahead.