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Ollie Watkins Joins Al-Hilal from Aston Villa in £51m Transfer

The England forward leaves Aston Villa after a successful six-year tenure, signing a three-year deal in Saudi Arabia.

30 August 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Ollie Watkins Joins Al-Hilal from Aston Villa in £51m Transfer — Archive photoPhoto: HDBFHHX · Wikimedia Commons · CC0

Al-Hilal has officially signed England forward Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa, the two clubs announced on Sunday. The transfer marks the end of Watkins' six-year spell at the Midlands club, where he became the club's top scorer in the Premier League.

The 30-year-old striker was reported to have two years remaining on his contract with Aston Villa prior to the transfer. He moves to Al-Hilal for a fee reported to be around £51 million.

Watkins' departure comes amid a busy summer for Aston Villa, which has also seen Emiliano Martínez move to Chelsea. The timing of these transfers highlights a significant reshaping of the Villa squad.

Following the transfer, Watkins has signed a three-year contract with Al-Hilal, one of the prominent clubs in Saudi Arabia. His move is part of a broader strategy by the club to strengthen its roster with high-profile players.

This transfer is part of a continuing trend of players from European leagues moving to clubs in Saudi Arabia, reflecting the growing financial power of these teams.

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