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Sports · Soccer · published 2026-08-30 · via BBC Sport

Villa's record scorer departs for Saudi club in £51m deal

Image via BBC Sport
Image via BBC Sport

Ollie Watkins has left Aston Villa to join Al-Hilal for £51 million on a three-year contract. The 30-year-old scored 91 Premier League goals for Villa and helped the club win the Europa League. He apologised for missing the season opener and expressed gratitude for his time at the club.

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Watkins' exit closes a significant chapter at Villa Park, where he arrived under Dean Smith, played through Steven Gerrard's tenure, and blossomed under Unai Emery. His 91 league goals stand as a club benchmark, and his farewell message referenced personal milestones, including his children being born in Birmingham. He joins Crysencio Summerville at Al-Hilal.

Villa have moved swiftly to rebuild, with several first-team players departing this summer. The club has broken its transfer record twice — first for Johan Manzambi

Expanded detail and Context are AI-generated analysis; the linked article remains the authoritative source.
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This summary is Al-enhanced to contain extended analysis and broader social context. The original is {NAME); the linked article is the authoritative source. Original headline: “Watkins completes £51m move to Saudi side Al-Hilal.” Browse more stories.