Ollie Watkins, recently signed by Saudi club Al Hilal from Aston Villa, expressed confidence that the Saudi Professional League matches are on par with the English Premier League following his debut goal. Watkins scored with a header after coming off the bench in Al Hilal’s 3-0 victory over Al Ahli.

Watkins praised the physicality and overall quality of the match, describing the level of play as “honestly of Premier League quality.” He highlighted the demanding nature of the game and the high standards demonstrated by the teams on the pitch.

The striker noted that he made his decision to join Al Hilal quickly after receiving the offer, influenced in part by the club’s performance in the FIFA Club World Cup. “I want to win trophies and this team is going to give me the best possible chance of doing that,” Watkins said.

Having had only a few days of training with his new team, Watkins acknowledged that he feels a bit rusty but is confident he will improve with more playing time. “I’m going to get a lot of chances. Once I get in the groove, I’m going to be good,” he added.

Watkins’ comments come amid growing attention on the Saudi league, which has recently attracted several high-profile international players. His positive assessment contributes to the ongoing debate over the competitive standard of soccer in the region compared to established European leagues.