Southampton have announced the signing of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale from Arsenal on a four-year deal.
The 26-year-old, who played every minute of Arsenal's 2022/2023 season, leaves after three years and 89 appearances in all competitions for the club.
He was awarded the Goalkeeper of the Year award at the 2023 London Football awards and named in the Premier League PFA Team of the Year.
What he said
"The way the manager wants to play, the way he was when I spoke to him, he was just full of so much enthusiasm. I’d never met him before, but he made me feel about eight feet tall, which is just what you want," he told the club's official website.
“Coming back down to the south coast as well for me and my family, it would be an easier transition than most, so I feel like I can hit the ground running.
“I’m looking forward to this year, just getting back to what I do best and having a big smile on my face while doing it here.”
Yer a Saint, @AaronRamsdale98! 😇 pic.twitter.com/yp9OuCI8Ms
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) August 30, 2024
Who is Ramsdale?
Ramsdale was born on 14 May 1998 in Stoke-on-Trent, England and began his footballing journey at Sheffield United.
He rarely featured for the Blades, but his talent was undeniable, and in 2016, Ramsdale moved to AFC Bournemouth.
After successive loan spells in the lower tiers of the English football leagues at Chesterfield FC and AFC Wimbledon, the young goalkeeper returned to a starting position at Bournemouth.
In the 2019/2020 season, Ramsdale made his Premier League debut and full Bournemouth debut, going on to feature 37 times for the Cherries in the top-flight, winning the Player of the Year award.
Ramsdale’s standout performances and excellent shot-stopping ability earned him a move to former club, Sheffield United, where he played 38 Premier league matches, winning the club’s Player of the Year award and Young Player of the Year award.
In total he featured 78 times in the Premier League for Sheff Utd before joining Arsenal in 2021.
The 26-year-old was a regular for England at youth levels, winning the UEFA U19 Championships in 2017. He then made his full international debut in November 2021, he has since earned five England caps and was part of the squad that reached the final of Euro 2020, Euro 2024 and the quarter-finals at the 2022 World Cup.
At the end of last season he was spotted in the Southampton end at Wembley Stadium for their playoff final win over Leeds United dressed as Hagrid from Harry Potter.
Aaron Ramsdale was at Southampton's play-off final victory dressed as Harry Potter character Hagrid back in May 🧙♂️
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 29, 2024
Fast forward to August and he looks set to sign for the Saints ✍️ pic.twitter.com/nJpB0P8kjZ
When could he make his debut?
Southampton are away to Brentford on Saturday 31 August, as the newly promoted side chase their first win back in the Premier League.
