Ollie Watkins could soon become the ninth English player to feature in the Saudi Pro League, with reports suggesting Al Hilal are nearing a deal for the Aston Villa striker. Should the transfer proceed, Watkins would represent one of the most high-profile arrivals from the Premier League to date. While the Saudi top flight has attracted significant global talent, only eight English players have tested themselves in the league so far.
Current and Recent Saudi Pro League Players
- Ivan ToneyAfter scoring 36 Premier League goals for Brentford following 31 in the Championship, Toney moved to Al-Ahli in 2024 for a £40 million fee on a four-year contract. He helped the club secure back-to-back Asian Champions League titles and netted 32 league goals in his second season, earning a spot in England’s 2026 World Cup squad.
- John BuckleyA Blackburn Rovers academy graduate with 169 appearances, Buckley joined Al-Kholood in August 2025. He scored on his league debut and his third appearance, totaling 31 appearances in his first season.
- Josh BrownhillFollowing a standout 2024-25 campaign where he scored 18 goals to help Burnley earn promotion, Brownhill opted for a move to Al Shabab. He recorded five goals in 30 appearances during his debut season.
- Joe BerryA former Manchester United academy prospect who joined Nottingham Forest in 2024, Berry moved to Al-Kholood to begin his senior career, making five appearances.
Previous Saudi Pro League Experience
- Jordan HendersonThe former Liverpool captain joined Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq in 2023. His tenure lasted only six months, during which he played 17 league games before terminating his contract to return to Europe with Ajax.
- Mo AdamsAfter spells in the Nottingham Forest and Derby County academies and four years in the U.S. with Chicago Fire, Atlanta United, and Inter Miami, Adams moved to Saudi Arabia in 2022. He played for Al-Khaleej during the 2023-24 season before moving to the second-tier side Al-Batin.
- Chris SmallingAfter a successful five-year stint with Roma, the defender joined Al-Fayha in September 2024. He regained his fitness quickly, missing only two league games in his first season and playing every match of his second campaign before his release.
- Brad YoungAn Aston Villa academy product who excelled in Wales with The New Saints, Young moved to Al-Orobah after a 22-goal season. He scored twice during his time in Saudi Arabia before moving to the UAE Pro League.
These players have navigated varied paths in the Middle East, ranging from high-profile marquee signings to academy prospects seeking senior football. As the league continues to evolve, the potential arrival of a player of Watkins’ caliber highlights the ongoing trend of English talent exploring opportunities within the Saudi Pro League. The report also notes that the 8 English players to have played in the Saudi Pro League. The report also notes that it’s one of the big transfer sagas to watch before the deadline. The report also notes that but not that many involving Englishmen, there have been plenty of moves from the Premier League to the Saudi Pro League over the past few years. The report also notes that starting with four currently in Saudi Arabia and then four who’ve been and gone, here are the players whose footsteps he would be following in. The report also notes that even though he’s only three years younger, Toney completed his Saudi move a month after being part of the Euro 2024 squad, one of the strikers England briefly looked set to pin their hopes on for a Harry Kane successor. The report also notes that even though he barely featured at the tournament, his 42-goal haul in his second season – 32 of which were in the Saudi Pro League – earned him a place in England’s 2026 World Cup squad. The report also notes that also having a spell on loan with Sheffield Wednesday, buckley made 169 appearances for Blackburn Rovers after coming through their academy. The report also notes that he headed to Saudi Arabia in August 2025 to join Al-Kholood – a couple of weeks after they’d appointed an English manager, Des Buckingham, after eight seasons in the Championship.
