{
  "id": 5287287,
  "title": "Watkins scores on Saudi Pro League debut",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/watkins-scores-on-saudi-pro-league-debut",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-03T08:22:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ghanaian Times",
    "slug": "ghanaian-times",
    "url": "https://ghanaiantimes.com.gh/watkins-scores-on-saudi-pro-league-debut/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "England international Ollie Watkins made his Saudi Pro League debut with a goal as Al-Hilal defeated Al-Ahli 3-0, ensuring their strong start to the new season. The 30-year-old, who completed a £51m transfer from Aston Villa last week, opened his scoring record for his new club when he headed the ball in off a Sultan Mandash cross just four minutes from the final whistle. Formerly a player for Exeter City, Weston-super-Mare, and Brentford, Watkins was substituted at halftime, coming on for Al-Hilal after goals from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Crysencio Summerville during the first half. The win shifted Al-Hilal back to the top of the Saudi Pro League after securing all three points from their opening four games. Having joined Villa from Brentford in 2020, Watkins scored over a dozen goals in each of his six seasons at the club, making him Villa's all-time Premier League top scorer. He played a crucial role as the team clinched the Europa League title last season. Al-Hilal manager Simone Inzaghi expressed his disappointment as he bid farewell to Watkins, acknowledging the player as \"fantastic.\" This summer has seen a series of departures from Villa, including Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne, and Emiliano Martinez. Exeter City expects to receive a sell-on clause payment due to Watkins' move to the Saudi Pro League, as per FIFA's solidarity payment mechanism. The club assured its supporters that any funds received from the £51m deal would be utilized for the club's long-term security and stability.",
  "summary": "England international Ollie Watkins marked his Saudi Pro League debut with a goal as Al-Hilal beat Al-Ahli 3-0 to maintain their winning start to the new season. The 30-year-old, who completed his £51m move from Aston Villa last week, opened his account for his new side when he headed home Sultan Mandash’s cross at the … The post Watkins scores on Saudi Pro League debut appeared first on Ghanaian…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Saudi Pro League matchweek five kicks off today with three games",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/saudi-pro-league-matchweek-five-kicks-off-today-with-three-games",
        "published": "2026-09-03T03:30:06.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}