Southampton have finalized the £25 million signing of Arsenal and England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
The Saints will pay an initial £18 million for the former Sheffield United shot-stopper, with an additional £7 million in performance-based add-ons.
The 26-year-old has committed to a four-year contract at St Mary’s, with the club holding an option to extend the deal by an additional 12 months.
EDITOR’S PICKS
“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.
FURTHER READING
“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.
Arsenal expect to complete a season-long loan move for Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto to replace Ramsdale.
Click here to watch our video of the week: