Southampton have secured the signing of Arsenal and England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale for £25 million.
The Saints will pay an initial £18 million for the former Sheffield United player, with an additional £7 million in potential add-ons.
Ramsdale, 26, has signed a four-year contract with Southampton, with the club holding an option to extend his deal for an additional 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.”
Later on Friday, Southampton also announced the signing of winger Ryan Fraser on a free transfer.
The 30-year-old mutually agreed to terminate his contract with Newcastle United, allowing him to join the Saints on a two-year deal.
Fraser’s arrival was confirmed shortly after the departure of the highly rated 18-year-old left back Jayden Meghoma, who has moved to Brentford in a deal reportedly worth up to £10 million.
Aaron Ramsdale, who has been capped five times for England, was selected for Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad.
Since his £26 million move from Sheffield United to Arsenal in 2021, Ramsdale has made 89 appearances for the Gunners.
“Aaron is a real statement signing for us,” said Southampton 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.”
Aaron Ramsdale had previously been linked to a move to Wolves, but instead, the former Bournemouth goalkeeper has joined Southampton.
Ramsdale attended Southampton’s play-off win against Leeds United in May to support his close friend David Brooks, who was on loan with the Saints from Bournemouth.
In a longstanding tradition within their friendship group, they attend an end-of-season match in fancy dress, which led Ramsdale to dress up as the Harry Potter character Hagrid at Wembley.
Southampton’s announcement video creatively featured Ramsdale dressed as Hagrid once again to confirm his move to the club.
Meanwhile, Arsenal is expected to secure a season-long loan deal for Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto to fill the gap left by Ramsdale’s departure.
Fraser makes Saints return
Scotland international Fraser played a significant role in Southampton’s promotion from the Championship during a season-long loan deal from Newcastle last term.
He played 44 times for Martin’s side during the 2023-24 campaign, including the play-off final victory against Leeds United, while also scoring eight goals.
And with 173 Premier League appearances to his name, Martin is delighted to welcome back his wealth of experience to the club.
“Everyone could see the quality and creativity he has and he delivered in so many big moments for us,” said Martin.
“What many people outside of the building won’t have seen is the impact he also had off the pitch within the group, and it’s fantastic for us to be able to keep someone not only with great ability, but the same level of character too.”
Fraser, who has also played for Bournemouth in the English top flight, added: “I’m probably the happiest man in Southampton at the minute.
“It’s been a long summer from the play-off final to now, but my number one goal was to get back here and now that it’s happened it’s one of my proudest moments to be honest.”
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