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Aston Villa have confirmed that Ollie Watkins has left the club to join Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal, bringing an end to a highly productive six-year spell at Villa Park.
The club announced the departure on their official website on August 30, confirming that the forward has completed his move to the Saudi Arabian outfit. No further details of the agreement were included in the announcement.
Watkins joined Villa in 2020, when he was signed by then manager Dean Smith, and went on to become one of the club’s most consistent attacking performers. Across his six seasons at Villa Park, he reached double figures in every campaign, underlining his reliability in front of goal and his importance to the team’s attacking output.
He leaves with a total of 91 Premier League goals for Aston Villa, a tally that makes him the club’s record goalscorer in the competition. That landmark ensures his time in the Midlands will be remembered as one of the most prolific Premier League spells by a Villa forward.
Villa’s confirmation marks a significant attacking departure as the club move forward without a player who had been a regular source of goals since his arrival. Watkins’ consistency over a sustained period made him a central figure during his time at the club, and his exit now opens a new chapter for both player and team.
For Al-Hilal, the move adds an established Premier League goalscorer to their squad. For Watkins, it represents a fresh challenge after six seasons in English top-flight football with Villa.
Aston Villa supporters will now reflect on a forward who delivered season after season and departs as a record holder in the Premier League era.
Written by Ketan Patel
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