Ollie Watkins has completed his £51m transfer from Aston Villa to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal, ending a six-year spell at Villa Park.
The 30-year-old England striker has signed a three-year contract with Al-Hilal after becoming Aston Villa’s record Premier League goalscorer, scoring 91 times for the club.
Watkins played a key role in Villa’s resurgence under manager Unai Emery. During his time at the club, Villa established themselves as regular top-six challengers and won the Europa League, their first European trophy in 44 years.
The forward made himself unavailable for Villa’s Premier League opener against Brighton last weekend. Emery said Watkins had apologised for his decision.
“Firstly, I would like to say, never did I intend, nor did I imagine, my time at Aston Villa would end this way,” Watkins posted on social media.
“With that being said, I am eternally grateful for the last six years. Not only has it shaped me as a player, but as a person.
“We’ve been through so many ups and downs in my six seasons here, but one thing that has never changed is that I have given everything for this club.”
Emery said he had “small tears” when saying goodbye to the “fantastic” Watkins, whose departure is the latest in a series of high-profile exits from Villa this summer.
Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne have also left the club.
Watkins reflected on some of the defining moments of his Villa career, including his first goals in a 7-2 victory over Liverpool, helping Villa return to European competition and playing in Champions League matches at Villa Park. He also referred to the club’s “unforgettable night in Istanbul”.
“From my first goals in the 7-2 win over Liverpool to getting the club back into Europe, the Champions League nights at Villa Park to that unforgettable night in Istanbul and becoming Villa’s record Premier League goalscorer,” he added.
“It is an achievement that I never thought would be possible when I signed for the club.
“I want to thank everyone who has contributed to my time here, Dean Smith, Steven Gerrard and especially Unai Emery for always believing in me.
“My two children were born here, and to see them walk on to the pitch and see you fans sing my name in front of them and my family is something that will always stay with me forever.
“Birmingham will always be home, and so will Villa.”
At Al-Hilal, Watkins will link up with Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville, who joined the Saudi club after leaving West Ham following their relegation from the Premier League.
Villa close to Harwood-Bellis deal
Aston Villa are also close to completing a £29m deal for Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
The move for the 24-year-old, who has won one England cap, is still dependent on minor details being finalised. However, all parties expect the transfer to be completed before Tuesday’s deadline, with Harwood-Bellis set to move to Villa Park.
Southampton previously rejected an £18m offer from Villa. The Midlands club have now agreed to meet the south coast side’s asking price with an initial £25m payment and a further £4m in add-ons.
Villa broke their transfer record in July by signing Swiss midfielder Johan Manzambi. They then set a new club record again with a £65m deal for Bayern Munich striker Nicolas Jackson, who has replaced Watkins in the squad.
Former Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes, Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and Italy left-back Matteo Ruggeri have also joined Villa during a summer of major squad changes.
The club are making wholesale alterations to comply with Uefa’s rules on squad cost ratio.
