Ollie Watkins marked his Al-Hilal debut with a goal in their 3-0 win over Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League before describing the standard of football in Saudi Arabia as “Premier League quality”.
The England international joined Al-Hilal from Aston Villa this summer and came off the bench in the second half before scoring with a back-post header in the closing stages.
Sergej Savic opened the scoring for Al Hilal before former West Ham forward Crysencio Summerville doubled their advantage.
Watkins left Villa after six years at the club, scoring 108 goals in 278 appearances and helping them win the Europa League last season.
He was one of several key departures from Villa this summer, with Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Ezri Konsa and Lucas Digne also leaving the club. Watkins, however, was the only player to move outside Europe.
“The level I saw here today was honestly of Premier League quality,” Watkins said after the game.
“The match was very strong physically and demanding, and the quality was extremely high.
“I knew straight away [to join Al Hilal when the offer came]. I watched the [FIFA] Club World Cup and I saw how well they performed. I always see who’s at the top of the league and they’re always up there.
“And look, I want to come here. I want to win trophies and I think this team is going to give me the best possible chance of doing that.”
Watkins aiming to score in every game
Watkins also set himself the target of scoring in every game after getting off the mark on his debut.
“I want to score in every game,” he added.
“But I kept going, kept going, and I’m going to get a lot of chances. Ruben Neves and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic are very intelligent players and all I need to do is make the run.
“I’m a bit rusty at the moment, only had a couple of days training so, once I get in the groove, I’m going to be good.”
Watkins also had a goal ruled out for offside shortly before finding the net.
“I kept going and obviously just before [my goal] I got called offside, which was disappointing,” he said.
