Ollie Watkins says he by no means imagined or supposed his Aston Villa profession to “finish this fashion” after finishing his £51m transfer to Al-Hilal.
The 30-year-old striker, Villa’s report Premier League scorer with 91 targets, joins the Saudi Professional League aspect on a three-year deal.
The England worldwide made himself unavailable for Villa’s Premier League opener towards Brighton final weekend, which Unai Emery stated Watkins apologised for.
“Firstly, I wish to say, by no means did I intend, nor did I think about, my time at Aston Villa would finish this fashion,” Watkins posted on social media.
“With that being stated, I’m eternally grateful for the final six years. Not solely has it formed me as a participant, however as an individual.
“We have been by so many ups and downs in my six seasons right here, however one factor that has by no means modified is that I’ve given every little thing for this membership.”
In six years at Villa, Watkins performed an important position within the membership’s rise below supervisor Emery as they established themselves as common top-six challengers and received the Europa League, their first European trophy in 44 years.
Emery stated he had “small tears” as he stated goodbye to the “unbelievable” Watkins – the newest in a sequence of Villa exits this summer season, with Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne and Emiliano Martinez all departing.
At Al-Hilal, Watkins joins Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville, who departed West Ham following their relegation from the Premier League, whereas Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli is about to journey to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for a medical with the membership.
“From my first targets within the 7-2 win over Liverpool to getting the membership again into Europe, the Champions League nights at Villa Park to that unforgettable night time in Istanbul and changing into Villa’s report Premier League goalscorer,” he added.
“It’s an achievement that I by no means thought can be doable once I signed for the membership.
“I need to thank everybody who has contributed to my time right here, Dean Smith, Steven Gerrard and particularly Unai Emery for all the time believing in me.
“My two youngsters had been born right here, and to see them stroll on to the pitch and see you followers sing my title in entrance of them and my household is one thing that can all the time stick with me ceaselessly.
“Birmingham will all the time be house, and so will Villa.”