Aston Villa and England striker Ollie Watkins has risen through the ranks from starring at Exeter City to becoming a national hero for his Euro 2024 performances.
Watkins has become one of the football odds favourites to win the Premier League Golden Boot and has often swung the live betting markets with his performances for Villa.
| Per year | €8,203,496.60 | £6,759,074 |
| Per month | €683,624 | £563,255 |
| Per week | €157,759 | £129,981 |
| Per day | €22,475 | £18,517 |
| Per hour | €936 | £771 |
| Per minute | €15 | £12 |
Breaking through in his home county with Exeter, Watkins was snapped up by the ever-shrewd Brentford in 2017. After blossoming in the Championship with the Bees, he made the move to the Premier League with a big money move to Aston Villa.
He hasn’t looked back since then, going from strength to strength and becoming a regular in England squads under Gareth Southgate.
How Much Is Ollie Watkins Worth?
Ollie Watkins net worth sits around £14 million, according to Salary Sport. Watkins’ net worth is a long way from some of his peers, but he’s still an incredibly person compared to ‘ordinary’ people.
Alongside his sizeable playing earnings, Watkins has had several endorsements. He has worked with Boots, Ted Baker, BYD, and various other companies.
According to Football Boots Database, Watkins has been wearing the Nike Phantom in 2024-25. Nike are bound to be paying a hefty sum per year to have Watkins wearing their boots considering the exposure he has been getting.
Contract
Ollie Watkins, according to Spotrac, is on £130,000 per week. This is the same salary as Cole Palmer, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Bernd Leno, Matheus Nunes, and Mikel Merino.
There are 68 players earning more than Watkins. Amadou Onana, Youri Tielemans, and Boubacar Kamara are the only Villa players on a higher salary as of December 2024.
Watkins signed a new, five-year deal with Villa in October 2023. His previous contract would have expired in 2025.
When the new deal was announced, Watkins spoke to Villa’s official website.
“I’m really happy. I feel like this is the best place for me to play my football; I’ve still got a lot to achieve here.
“I feel like I’ve had a really good connection with the fans since I’ve come here. From day one they’ve been really good with me; we’ve had highs and lows but that’s football. You can see the direction of the club, and I want to be a part of that.
“We’re only getting started. The boss has been here for a year and you’ve seen the form and progression of players. There are other levels we can get to.”
Asthma
Ollie Watkins has spoken publicly about dealing with asthma as a professional footballer.
Watkins said, “I have asthma, just sporadically really. It’s always been a thing in my life.
“I grew up with it, yeah, I went to the doctors and they had I had asthma.But I never thought it was a big thing. I was always good at running and stuff like that.
“So it never really affected me too much, it’s just when the weather’s a little bit colder, especially in England all the time. My chest would tighten up and then I’d need my inhaler, so I’m just used to it.”
Girlfriend
Ollie Watkins’ girlfriend is Ellie Alderson. They have two children together; a little girl called Amara and a son called Marley.
The couple got engaged in July 2024 following Watkins’ heroics for England at Euro 2024.
Watkins’ fame since joining Aston Villa has inevitably changed the couple’s life, particularly when his shopping trips are disrupted.
“I used to just go and shop in Sainsbury’s, normal, and I came to try and do it at Villa and I couldn’t.
“I had my earphones in and people took two looks and went, ‘Is that him?’. Once one person asks for a photo, then maybe it’s two or three, and then it’s hard to do shopping...
“I came home and I was fuming. I said to my missus, I’m never going out again. And since then I don’t do the shopping.”
While he’s realistic about celebrity life, Watkins seems reluctant to chase fame.
“I wouldn’t want to put anything out there that’s not authentic and not myself.
“You see how much money you can make on Instagram. But my saying has always been just be good at football and the rest will take care of itself.
“If I’m scoring 30 goals a year and someone wants to do a sponsorship deal with me then they are going to want to do it because I’m doing well on the pitch.
“I’m content with where I am. The fame, the followers on Instagram – if it does come, it does. If it doesn’t, I’m not bothered really.”
Euro 2024
Ollie Watkins shot to national prominence during Euro 2024. Suggestions he should start ahead of Harry Kane were rife throughout the tournament.
In the semi-final against the Netherlands, Watkins delivered a moment that will live long in the memory.
Brought off the bench in the 81st minute with Cole Palmer, Watkins combined with the Chelsea playmaker in the 90th minute to score the winning goal.
Threaded in by Palmer down the inside-right, Watkins held off Stefan de Vrij and fired a shot across goal into the far corner.
Aston Villa
Ollie Watkins signed for Aston Villa from Brentford in September 2020. The initial fee was £28 million, potentially rising to £33 million.
Then Villa manager Dean Smith, who worked with Watkins at Brentford, said, “Ollie has developed into one of the most sought-after strikers in the country and we are looking forward to seeing him show his great qualities in an Aston Villa shirt.
“He is a hugely determined character who has both the ability and personality to succeed at the highest level.”
Arsenal
Ollie Watkins has been linked with a move to Arsenal as the Gunners look to solve their number nine woes.
After scoring the winner at the Emirates Stadium in 2020, Watkins revealed that he and his family are Arsenal fans.
“I’m not sure my grandad or uncle Baz are going to be too happy!
“They are Arsenal fans and I am an Arsenal fan myself - but I’m buzzing. I am sure they will love it really. I am over the moon.”
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Adobe*
