Ollie Watkins has completed his £51m move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal from Aston Villa.

The 30-year-old striker, Villa’s record Premier League scorer with 91 goals, joins on a three-year deal.

In six years at Villa, Watkins played a crucial role in the club’s rise under manager Unai Emery as they established themselves as regular top-six challengers and won the Europa League, their first European trophy in 44 years.

The England international made himself unavailable for Villa’s Premier League opener against Brighton last weekend, which Emery said Watkins apologised for.

“Firstly, I would like to say, never did I intend, nor did I imagine, my time at Aston Villa would end this way,” Watkins posted on social media.

“With that being said, I am eternally grateful for the last six years. Not only has it shaped me as a player, but as a person.

“We’ve been through so many ups and downs in my six seasons here, but one thing that has never changed is that I have given everything for this club.”

Emery said he had “small tears” as he said goodbye to the “fantastic” Watkins – the latest in a series of Villa exits this summer, with Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne all departing.

At Al-Hilal, Watkins joins Dutch winger Crysencio Summerville, who departed West Ham following their relegation from the Premier League.

“From my first goals in the 7-2 win over Liverpool to getting the club back into Europe, the Champions League nights at Villa Park to that unforgettable night in Istanbul and becoming Villa’s record Premier League goalscorer,” he added.

“It is an achievement that I never thought would be possible when I signed for the club.

“I want to thank everyone who has contributed to my time here, Dean Smith, Steven Gerrard and especially Unai Emery for always believing in me.

“My two children were born here, and to see them walk on to the pitch and see you fans sing my name in front of them and my family is something that will always stay with me forever.

“Birmingham will always be home, and so will Villa.”

Meanwhile, Villa are closing in on a £29m deal for Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

A deal for the one-time England international, 24, remains subject to the finalisation of minor details, but all parties expect him to move to Villa Park before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

Villa had previously had an £18m bid rejected but have now moved to meet the south coast club’s asking price, through an initial £25m fee plus £4m in add-ons.

In July, Villa broke their transfer record to sign Swiss midfielder Johan Manzambi, before doing so again with a £65m deal for Bayern Munich striker Nicolas Jackson, Watkins’ replacement.

Former Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes, Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and Italy left-back Matteo Ruggeri have also joined Villa as the club make wholesale changes in order to comply with Uefa’s rules around squad cost ratio.