We can confirm we expect to receive a payment following the transfer of Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.
This process involves a number of clubs - Exeter City, Brentford, to whom Exeter sold Ollie in 2017, Aston Villa and Al-Hilal - and is subject to confidentiality clauses which are beyond the control of Exeter City Football Club.
Under FIFA's solidarity payment mechanism, a proportion of any transfer fee is distributed to clubs involved in training and developing a player between the ages of 12 and 23. Ollie was part of the Exeter City Academy from the age of 11 in 2007 and made his first team debut in 2014 after signing his first professional contract that season.
We are awaiting further details regarding the payment. We do not know how long this process will take to conclude, but we do not anticipate receiving any sum before the end of the current transfer window. Subject to the terms agreed, it is also possible that payments will be in instalments over a number of years.
To ensure full transparency, we will share further information with supporters when we are able to do so, however, this will be in line with the confidentiality agreements in place. We can assure supporters that any sum received will be used to protect and strengthen the long-term security of the Club.
We wish Ollie well with this next chapter in his career. He is a fantastic footballer - a product of the Exeter City Academy that the whole Club is enormously proud of. As we do with all of our Academy graduates, we will continue to follow his career with great interest and pride.
