Aaron Ramsdale has ended his three-year association with Arsenal to join Southampton in a deal worth £25 million.
In an official statement on Southampton’s website, the Saints have confirmed the arrival of Aaron Ramsdale. The English goalkeeper has left Arsenal after three seasons as he looks to resurrect his stuttering career. The new signing has put pen to a four-year contract at St. Mary’s.
A report by the BBC has revealed that Arsenal will receive a package worth £25 million from Ramsdale’s sale to Southampton. The deal includes a base fee of £18 million and £7 million in add-ons. Meanwhile, Ramsdale expressed his delight at completing the long-away move to the newly promoted Premier League club.
Ramsdale said, “I’m absolutely delighted. 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.”
“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.”
Aaron Ramsdale endured a topsy-turvy ride at Arsenal after joining the North London club from Sheffield United in August 2021. The Englishman arrived at the Emirates after suffering a second successive relegation from the Premier League. However, he hit the ground running at Arsenal and also appeared on the PFA Premier League Team of the Year for the 2022/23 season.
However, Ramsdale’s stock plummeted after David Raya joined Arsenal from Brentford last summer. The Spaniard quickly usurped the England international as the first-choice goalkeeper. So, Ramsdale gradually grew in frustration and was eager to leave Arsenal this summer.
Southampton emerged as Ramsdale’s potential destination a few days ago and quickly finished the negotiations to seal an agreement on a deal worth £25 million. The 26-year-old Englishman has signed a four-year contract with the newly promoted Premier League club, with Arsenal receiving a base fee of £18 million. Ramsdale should soon be the first-choice goalkeeper for the Saints.
