Southampton signed England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale from Arsenal in a deal worth a reported £25 million ($32 million) ahead of Friday’s transfer deadline.
Ramsdale lost his place to David Raya last season, making
just six appearances in the Premier League after the Spaniard’s arrival in
2023.
The 26-year-old had been linked with Wolves but that move
fell through and paved the way for his switch to St Mary’s.
“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,” Ramsdale said.
“I’d never met him before, but he made me feel about eight
feet tall, which is just what you want.”
Ramsdale joined Arsenal from Sheffield United in 2021 and
made 89 appearances in all competitions.
He was voted into the PFA’s Premier League Team of the Year
for the 2022-23 campaign, but was surprisingly axed to make way for Raya as
Mikel Arteta looked to improve a team that eventually finished as runners-up to
Premier League champions Manchester City for a second successive season.
Ramsdale’s father was critical of the way the Arsenal
manager handled the situation after the keeper was dropped.
Arteta still paid tribute to Ramsdale for his contribution
during three years at the Emirates Stadium.
“Aaron has been a top professional since joining in 2021 and
has made many contributions during his time with us,” Arteta said.
“We thank Aaron for everything he gave to Arsenal and we
wish him and his family the best of health, success and happiness in his new
opportunity with Southampton.”
Ramsdale will aim to get his career back on track at
promoted Southampton, with his debut potentially coming against Brentford on
Saturday.
Saints boss Russell Martin believes former Bournemouth
keeper Ramsdale will be revitalised by his move.
“He is hungry to become England’s number one again and he
wants to be here. I think that is so important,” Martin said.
“If you had asked me four or five weeks ago, ‘would we have
had a chance of signing Aaron Ramsdale?’ I would have thought you were probably
crazy but then we’ve spoke a fair bit over that period of time.
“I think he has been frustrated over the last year at the
lack of playing time, but he brings winning mentality, big character, big
voice.”