Ollie Watkins has completed his move to Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal in a €60 million transfer from Aston Villa, ending a six-year spell at Villa Park. The England striker made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut as Al-Hilal dominated Al-Ahli 3-0, with the 30-year-old rising unmarked at the back post to head home in the 86th minute.
Family Adjusts to Sudden Relocation
While Watkins has settled quickly on the pitch, his wife Ellie revealed the emotional weight of the unexpected move to Riyadh. Speaking candidly on social media, she admitted: "This was certainly not on my bucket list for 2026. We have arrived in Saudi Arabia and I think I am still in shock." The emotional toll reflects the life-changing nature of the transfer, particularly after Watkins became Villa's all-time Premier League top scorer during his tenure in Birmingham.
Ellie expressed mixed feelings about closing the chapter at Villa Park, stating that while football's unpredictability is "the beauty" of the sport, leaving behind six years of memories proved difficult. Her candid admission resonates with the broader challenge many players and families face when relocating to Asian football leagues, where cultural and geographical adjustments run deep.
Immediate Success in Saudi Pro League
Introduced at half-time against Al-Ahli, Watkins wasted no time demonstrating his proven goal-scoring prowess. He followed up his debut performance with a starting role against Al-Shabab, where Al-Hilal cruised to a 2-0 victory. Under manager Simone Inzaghi, the club now sits atop the Saudi Pro League standings with a perfect record of 15 points from five matches.
Watkins has praised the standard of competition in the kingdom, noting that the physical intensity and technical quality matched Premier League standards. The forward's rapid integration into Al-Hilal's attacking setup, alongside fellow recruits Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Crysencio Summerville, suggests the club's ambitious recruitment strategy is paying dividends. With Neom awaiting Al-Hilal next, Watkins will aim to maintain the winning momentum that has established his new team as early season favourites.
