Ollie Watkins Completes £51m Transfer to Al-Hilal from Aston Villa
Ollie Watkins has completed a £51m transfer from Aston Villa to Saudi side Al-Hilal, expressing that he never intended his time at Villa Park to 'end this way'.
Ollie Watkins has finalized a major move to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal in a deal worth £51m, bringing an end to his tenure at Aston Villa, according to reports from BBC Sport.
The England forward confirmed the conclusion of his spell at Villa Park, admitting that the circumstances surrounding his exit were unexpected.
Reflecting on the transfer, Watkins explained that he never imagined or intended for his Aston Villa career to "end this way" as his switch to the Middle East was confirmed.
The £51m transfer represents another landmark capture for Al-Hilal, who continue to recruit established Premier League talent. For Aston Villa, the departure marks the loss of their primary focal point in attack after several seasons of spearheading the frontline in Birmingham.
While the financial package meets the valuation for a marquee forward, Watkins' departure reshapes the squad dynamics as he transitions into the Saudi Pro League setup ahead of the new campaign.
Last updated Monday, 31 August 2026. Published through the Nisty Football newsroom.
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