Southampton have completed the signing of Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
The Athletic reported on Wednesday that the two clubs had reached an agreement on a £25million deal. Arsenal will receive £18m upfront plus £1m should Southampton avoid relegation this season, with the remaining £6m based on incentives.
After passing his medical, the 26-year-old has signed a four-year deal with the option of a fifth that could see him stay at the club until 2029.
Ramsdale’s departure has led to Arsenal agreeing a deal with Bournemouth for the loan signing of goalkeeper Neto. The Athletic reported on Thursday Arsenal were exploring a move for Neto after hitting an impasse in talks over Espanyol’s Joan Garcia.
Yer a Saint, @AaronRamsdale98! 😇 pic.twitter.com/yp9OuCI8Ms
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) August 30, 2024
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Upon joining Southampton, 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.”
Ramsdale’s move to the south coast ends his three-year stay in north London having joined from Sheffield United for £24m.
He played every minute of every league game as Arsenal finished second behind Manchester City in 2022-23.
David Raya joined on an initial loan deal from Brentford last summer and became Mikel Arteta’s first-choice goalkeeper for the club’s Premier League and Champions League campaigns. The Spaniard has since made the move permanent and cemented his status as Arsenal’s first-choice No 1.
Ramsdale was limited to FA Cup and League Cup appearances last term, making 10 appearances in all competitions, with six of those coming in the Premier League.
He kept 32 clean sheets in 82 appearances in all competitions for the club and has earned five England caps.
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The Athletic FC: Aaron Ramsdale and the Premier League’s wild goalkeeper trade
(JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
