Southampton sign Arsenal keeper Ramsdale for £25m

Southampton have completed the signing of Arsenal and England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale for £25m.

The Saints will pay an initial £18m for the former Sheffield United goalkeeper, with an extra £7m in add-ons.

The 26-year-old has signed a four-year deal at St Mary’s and the club have the option of extending his deal by a further 12 months.

“I’m absolutely delighted,” said Ramsdale.

“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.”

Ramsdale, capped five times for England, was selected for Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad.

He made 89 appearances for Arsenal after a £26m move to the Emirates from Sheffield United in 2021.

“Aaron is a real statement signing for us,” said Saints boss Russell Martin.

“I’m very grateful to ownership and the board for making it happen, especially as so many other clubs were keen to get him.”

Ramsdale had been linked to a move to Wolves.

The former Bournemouth goalkeeper attended Southampton’s play-off win against Leeds United in May in support of close friend David Brooks, who was on loan with the Saints from the Cherries.

There is a tradition in the pair’s friendship group to attend an end-of-season match in fancy dress, which saw Ramsdale dress up as Harry Potter character Hagrid at Wembley.

Southampton’s announcement video saw Ramsdale dress up as Hagrid once again to confirm his move.

Arsenal expect to complete a season-long loan move for Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto to replace Ramsdale.