Ollie Watkins and Ellie Alderson are engaged! England and Aston Villa star shares lavish proposal photos from Lake Como as striker enjoys romantic holiday after Euro 2024 heartbreak

Staying at the Mandarin Oriental on the shores of Lake Como, Watkins got down on one knee to ask for Ellie's hand in marriage. The couple both shared photos of the moment on Instagram, with England's Euro 2024 hero writing: "Future wifey!! It was only right."

Watkins and Ellie have been together since 2018, when the forward was playing in the Championship with Brentford after making the leap from League Two with first club Exeter City. They already have two children together, a daughter born in 2021 and a son born in 2023.

Como is making the headlines for more than just being a romatic Italian getaway destination these days. The small city's football club has gone big time with the appointment of Cesc Fabregas as manager, the confirmed signings of Pepe Reina and Alberto Moreno, and the expected imminent arrival of Raphael Varane.

After firing Aston Villa into the Champions League for the first time in over 40 years, Watkins has the biggest season of his career ahead of him in 2024-25. But he has shown he is capable of performing under pressure at the highest level with his impact for England this summer. The group stage draw will take place on August 29.