Ellie Watkins, wife of English striker Ollie Watkins, has publicly shared her emotions about relocating to Saudi Arabia following her husband's transfer from Aston Villa to Al-Hilal for a reported £51 million. The move marks the end of a six-year tenure at Aston Villa for the 30-year-old forward.
Watkins documented the family's transition in a series of social media posts, expressing that her "heart is hurting" over leaving their established life in Birmingham, where their two young children, Amara, five, and Marley, three, were born and raised. In an emotional TikTok video, she described the move as "bittersweet," acknowledging the significant life events and friendships formed during their time in England. "I loved my life there, I settled so well and made the most amazing friends," she stated.
Fellow partners of England national team players, often referred to as 'WAGs,' offered messages of support. Megan Pickford, wife of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, wished the family "all the luck in your new chapter," while Olivia Stones, wife of centre-back John Stones, simply commented "Amazing." Influencer Hattie Smith expressed excitement for their new adventure, writing, "Excited for you all can’t wait to visit. Miss you all so much already."
In an Instagram post, Ellie Watkins shared a compilation of favorite memories from their six years at Aston Villa. She wrote about being grateful for the experiences, friendships, and witnessing her husband's career progression. "I’ve watched some of the highest highs and been there through all of the lows too," she noted, adding, "I couldn’t be prouder of how much he’s achieved but most importantly the person he has remained through it all."
Despite the emotional farewell, Watkins expressed optimism for the future, stating that she is "excited for a change of scenery" and anticipates the move will be beneficial for their children. She acknowledged feeling nervous but recalled similar feelings when they first moved to Birmingham, suggesting a hopeful outlook for their adjustment to life in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.