Ollie Watkins (foto: Instagram)
Ellie Watkins has admitted that leaving England for Saudi Arabia is bittersweet after her husband Ollie completed his £51m transfer from Aston Villa to Al-Hilal.
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Ollie Watkins' wife Ellie has received messages of support from fellow football WAGs after revealing the emotional impact of leaving England and beginning a new life in Saudi Arabia.
Watkins completed a £51m move from Aston Villa to Al-Hilal, ending a six-year spell at the Premier League club. The transfer also means a major change for Ellie and their two children, Amara, five, and Marley, three, who have relocated to Riyadh.
Sharing pictures from Watkins' introduction at his new club, Ellie wrote "Next chapter". Megan Pickford, wife of England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, wished the family luck with their new adventure, while John Stones' wife Olivia described the move as "Amazing".
'My heart is hurting'
Ellie had already spoken openly about the move in an emotional TikTok video after arriving in Saudi Arabia. "That wasn't on my bingo card for 2026. We are in Riyadh, we arrived in Saudi last night, and I think I'm still in shock, to be honest, at how life can change so quickly. But that is the joy of football," she said.
Leaving Birmingham has been particularly difficult because the family had built their life there during Watkins' six seasons with Villa. Their children were born during that period, while Ellie also formed close friendships that she now has to leave behind.
"We've had our children there, we've had quite big life events, so it feels bittersweet to me. I loved my life there, I settled so well and made the most amazing friends," she explained before becoming tearful.
Despite the emotion, Ellie is looking positively towards their new life. She believes the experience could be particularly exciting for their children and admitted that some of her nerves remind her of the family's original move to Birmingham.
In a separate Instagram farewell to Aston Villa, she wrote: "Anyone who knows me knows how emotional I am. My heart is hurting as we end the most amazing six years at Villa."
She also paid tribute to her husband's journey at the club, saying she had witnessed both the greatest and most difficult moments of his career and was proud of everything he achieved without changing as a person.
"It's the end of our most amazing chapter. Now it's time for a new adventure," Ellie concluded as the Watkins family began their new life in Saudi Arabia.