Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.com See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy LILY JOBSON, SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER Published: 23:13 BST, 30 August 2026 | Updated: 23:24 BST, 30 August 2026
Ollie Watkins' wife Ellie broke down in tears over her family's sudden move to Saudi Arabia on Sunday after the footballer was transferred to Al-Hilal. The English striker, 30, completed a £51million move as he bid farewell to his beloved team Aston Villa after six years.It has meant Ollie and his influencer wife have had to relocate and build a new life in Saudi with their two young children, Amara, five, and Marley, three.Ellie, also 30, admitted her 'heart is hurting' as she spoke about the bittersweet move in an emotional TikTok video.She said: 'Okay, well 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 like how life can change so quickly but that is the joys of football. Ollie Watkins' wife Ellie, both 30, broke down in tears over her family's sudden move to Saudi Arabia on Sunday after the footballer was transferred to Al-Hilal It has meant Ollie and his influencer wife have had to relocate and build a new life in Saudi with their two young children, Amara, five, and Marley, three'I've always actually said how lucky I think we are because we've been at Villa for six years which in football terms is actually quite a long time.'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.Tearing up, she added: 'So I am feeling quite emotional about leaving that behind. But I am excited for a change of scenery, I think it's going to be amazing for the kids and I think they are going to have the best time ever.'Once we are settled and we know what we are doing, it will all be good. Getting on with our new life in Saudi so exciting times.'I'm also feeling a little nervous but I remember feeling like that when we moved to Birmingham so hopefully you can follow my journey in Saudi.'In an additional Instagram post, Ellie posted photos to document her favourite memories at Aston Villa.She penned: 'Anyone that knows me knows how emotional I am, my heart is hurting as we end the most amazing 6 years at Villa.'We had our beautiful babies here, made friends for life and have a built a life here that I will always be so grateful for. Ellie, also 30, admitted her 'heart is hurting' as she spoke about the bittersweet move in an emotional TikTok video The England player completed a £51million move as he bid farewell to his beloved team Aston Villa after six years'Watching Ollies career progress here has been so special. I’ve watched some of the highest highs and been there through all of the lows too. I couldn’t be prouder of how much he’s achieved but most importantly the person he has remained through it all❤️'I’m so grateful for the amazing people we’ve met along the way and the friendships we’ll take with us. It’s the end of our most amazing chapter. Now it’s time for a new adventure ❤️'Like Ellie, fellow WAG Taylor Ward struggled with her move to Saudi after her husband Riyad Mahrez had booked a lucrative £30million move to Al-Ahli.The bombshell was delivered swiftly and decisively, with Taylor forced to confront the new reality of living in Jeddah in front of cameras during the first season of Amazon Prime's Married To The Game, a reality show centred around the lives of women married to Premier League footballers. 'I feel like everyone is going to be all over the place, it's just going to be so hard, life is going to be so different,' Taylor told her sister Darby in tears.She added: 'I feel like it is so hard, there are times I can't, I just don't like. I don't like it, I don't have a choice.'
