Al-Hilal Club has officially announced the signing of English international striker Ollie Watkins, arriving from Aston Villa in a deal whose financial details have not been disclosed.
The signing of Watkins, 30 years old, came at the request of Italian coach Simone Inzaghi, who sought to strengthen the attacking line as a replacement for French striker Karim Benzema, who is close to departing this summer.
Inzaghi aims to utilize the services of the new English striker in the upcoming El Clasico match against Al-Ahli next Tuesday evening at "Kingdom Arena," in a postponed round of Week 3.
Watkins possesses capabilities that Inzaghi seeks to exploit given his goal tally throughout his professional career, most notably with Aston Villa and previously Brentford, where he scored 183 goals and provided 80 assists in 499 matches.
Watkins has become Al-Hilal's sixth signing this summer following the arrivals of:
- Cresencio Summerville, arriving from West Ham United.
- Mohammed Mahzari, arriving from Al-Taawoun.
- Mohammed Al-Sarnoukh, arriving from Al-Fateh.
- Sabri Al-Dahl, arriving from Al-Fayha.
- Mohammed Al-Owais, arriving from Al-Ula.
Al-Hilal began their season with a 4-2 victory over Al-Faisaly, followed by a 3-0 win against Al-Raed, then another 3-0 triumph over Al-Fayha, and finally a 5-1 victory against Al-Khaleej.
