Ollie Watkins says Saudi Pro League quality matches Premier League after Al Hilal debut

Ollie Watkins believes there is little difference between the Saudi Pro League and the Premier League after marking his first appearance for Al Hilal with a goal.

The England international came off the bench? NoWatkins played in Al Hilal’s 3-0 victory over Al Ahli in a rearranged fixture from the third round of the Saudi Pro League. He completed his debut for his new club by scoring the third goal with a header in the 86th minute.

Watkins, who joined Al Hilal from Aston Villa, said he was delighted with the way his first match had unfolded and was already looking forward to playing in front of the club’s supporters again.

“I am very happy to be here. It is an amazing start and I am excited to play many more games at our stadium and in front of our fans,” he said in comments reported by Asharq Al-Awsat.

“It was an excellent and very good start for me and the team.”

The former Aston Villa striker was impressed by the standard of the contest, describing the match as physically demanding and insisting the quality was comparable with that of England’s top flight.

“The technical level here was very good and, in complete honesty, it is equal to and matches the level of the Premier League,” Watkins said.

“The game was very physical and required a lot of effort on the pitch. The quality of the football and the competition were at the highest level.”

Watkins also said the atmosphere at the stadium had exceeded his expectations. The 29-year-old was surprised by the intensity of the support when he entered the ground to inspect the pitch before kick-off.

“The atmosphere in the stadium was amazing in every way. I never expected it to be so incredible when I went in to look at the pitch before the match,” he said.

“It was a wonderful atmosphere and the noise from the stands was very passionate. The fans were chanting my name loudly.”

“Yes, it really was an amazing and exceptional start in every way.”

Watkins’ first appearance for Al Hilal ended with the club securing a convincing victory over Al Ahli, while his late header completed the scoring. The result came in a delayed Saudi Pro League match and gave the former Aston Villa forward an immediate introduction to his new team and its supporters.