Aug 30 (Reuters) - Al ⁠Hilal have signed Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa, ⁠the two clubs announced on Sunday, as the ‌30-year-old striker ended a successful six-year spell with the Midlands club where he became their top scorer in the Premier League.

Financial ​details were not disclosed but ⁠British media reported the ⁠Saudi Pro League side paid £51 million ($69.01 million) for the England ⁠international, ‌who had two years left on his Villa contract.

Watkins signed a three-year contract as ⁠Al Hilal acquired a proven goalscorer after ​he scored ‌21 goals in all competitions last season, including ⁠five goals ​in the Europa League as he helped deliver a European trophy to Unai Emery's side.

However, an exit was on ⁠the cards before the transfer window ​closed, with Emery revealing the striker had apologised for making himself unavailable for the club's Premier League opener.

Watkins ⁠scored 91 Premier League goals for Villa, a club record, and 108 in all competitions since arriving from Brentford for £28 million in 2020.

The striker is among ​a string of departures from ⁠Villa in the close season following the exits of ​key players such as Morgan Rogers ‌and Emi Martinez (both Chelsea), Ezri ​Konsa (Arsenal) and Youri Tielemans (Manchester United).

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(Reporting by Rohith Nair in BengaluruEditing by Toby Davis)