CORNERFLICK
Ollie Watkins has completed his £51 million move from Aston Villa to Al Hilal, signing a three-year contract with the Saudi club.
Six years at Villa Park
The England forward departs after six seasons in which he became Aston Villa’s record Premier League goalscorer and helped the club establish themselves as regular challengers for Champions League places under Unai Emery. Villa also won the Europa League, their first European trophy in 44 years.
Watkins missed Aston Villa’s opening Premier League game against Brighton last weekend. Emery said the striker apologised for being unavailable.
Watkins says farewell
In a social media post, Watkins said he never expected his Villa spell to end this way. He thanked the club for six years that, in his words, shaped him both as a player and as a person.
He also pointed to key moments in his Villa career, including his first goals in the 7-2 win over Liverpool, European nights at Villa Park and the club’s trip to Istanbul. Watkins added that Birmingham and Villa would always feel like home.
Al Hilal have added Watkins to a squad that already includes Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville, who left West Ham after their relegation from the Premier League.