Ollie Watkins' wife Ellie flees Saudi Arabia with children

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 18:10 · Archive

England footballer Ollie Watkins' wife Ellie has returned to the UK with their two children following Houthi missile attacks on Saudi Arabia.

England striker Ollie Watkins' wife Ellie has returned to the UK with their two children following recent missile attacks in Saudi Arabia. The family moved to Riyadh in the summer after Watkins joined Saudi club Al-Hilal from Aston Villa. Their children are Amara, five, and three-year-old Marley.

Houthi forces based in Yemen have escalated attacks on Saudi Arabia in recent months. A missile strike on Riyadh's airport in October killed 13 people, with two further deaths after an attack at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. Saudi airports have since been operating reduced services.

Ellie announced her departure on TikTok, saying: 'We've had a bit of a plot twist. I have come back to the UK for, hopefully, a little bit. There's just a little bit of conflict and things going on over in Saudi and we basically decided just to stay here until it calms down.' She added that she felt she needed to provide the children with 'normality'.

There is no indication that Watkins will leave Saudi Arabia to join his family, unless he is called up for England's upcoming international fixtures.

How it is being reported

• England star Ollie Watkins' wife Ellie flees Saudi Arabia and returns to UK with childrenOllie Watkins left Aston Villa to move to Al-Hilal in the summer, but now it appears his wife has returned to the UK amid missile strikes in Saudi ArabiaMirror Sport · 3 Nov, 17:44
• England star Ollie Watkins' wife Ellie flees their new life in Saudi Arabia amid deadly missile attacks - just months after moving to the Middle EastEngland striker Ollie Watkins' wife Ellie is fleeing Saudi Arabia to seek 'normality' for their children amid deadly missile attacks in the Middle East.Daily Mail Sport · 3 Nov, 14:42

In this story: Ollie Watkins · Ellie Watkins · Al-Hilal · Aston Villa · Saudi Arabia · Riyadh · Yemen

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