Newcastle United have signed goalkeeper, Aaron Ramsdale from Southampton on a season-long loan, with option to buy.
Newcastle had spent much of the summer in negotiations for Burnley over a deal for James Trafford, only for Manchester City to activate their buy-back clause to hijack the transfer which saw the 22-year-old rejoin Pep Guardiola’s Cityzens.
Eddie Howe’s Magpies swiftly turned their attention to Ramsdale who has joined on loan for the season, albeit with a £4 million loan fee but the club will have an option to sign him on a permanent transfer next summer for a rumoured £25 million.
Following official confirmation of his loan move, Ramsdale was happy to make the switch but admitted that an empty St James’ Park made the reality sink in as he completed media duties.
“It’s great to be here. I’ve always loved coming here and I’ve seen how passionate and loud the fans can be. I’ve always loved playing here at St. James’ Park – I’ve not always had the greatest of results, but when the fans get behind you it’s some place.
“Coming to the stadium and seeing it empty today, it’s quite surreal to think that this is going to be home for the foreseeable future. I’ve got the kit on, it’s got the nice Champions League badge on the sleeve and I’m delighted to be here.
“Working with the manager and his coaching staff again were a big draw for me. They’ve already had a great influence on my career and the gaffer turned me from a man into a professional footballer at Bournemouth. He really showed me the ropes so the manager and his coaching staff were a huge selling point for me to come here.”
Newcastle’s Head Coach, Eddie Howe added: “Aaron is an exceptional goalkeeper who adds further quality and international experience to our squad.
“Having worked with him before, I know what he can bring to us on and off the pitch, so we look forward to welcoming him into the group.”
Ramsdale began his career at Marsh Town and went on to play for Bolton then Sheffield United at youth levels, during which he was loaned by the latter to Worksop Town briefly in 2015-16 season.
He went on to make his senior debut for Sheffield Utd in a 6-0 First Round win over Leyton Orient in November 2016, in the first of two appearances before he moved to Bournemouth in July 2017 who were managed by Howe at the time.
During his time with the Cherries, Ramsdale was loaned out to Chesterfield then AFC Wimbledon, before he enjoyed a breakthrough 2019-20 season at Bournemouth which ended in relegation to the Championship.
He then returned to Sheffield Utd for a year in which he made 44 total appearances as the Blades too suffered relegation, before he moved to Arsenal in August 2021 where he made 89 appearances.
Whilst in North London, Ramsdale helped the Gunners win the 2023 FA Community Shield following a penalty shootout against Manchester City, in which he saved penalties from Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri following a 1-1 draw.
Last summer saw the 27-year-old move to Southampton who were relegated to the Championship this spring after just one season back in the Premier League, in which they only amassed 12 points in 38 matches.
Ramsdale represents England at international level with five senior caps, having been part of the Under-19s UEFA Euro success in 2017 then helped the Under-21s win 2018 Toulon Tournament.
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