Southampton have completed the signing of Arsenal and England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale for £25m.
Saints will pay an initial fee of £18m for the former Sheffield United goalkeeper, with a further £7m in add-ons.
The 26-year-old has signed a four-year contract with St. Mary’s, with the club having the option to extend his deal by a further 12 months.
“I’m very happy,” Ramsdale said.
“The way the manager wants to play, the way he looks when I talk to him, he’s full of enthusiasm. I’ve never seen him before, but he makes me feel eight feet tall, which is what you want. .
Ramsdale, who has five England caps, was named in Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad.
In 2021, he moved from Sheffield United to the Emirates Stadium for £26 million and played 89 times for Arsenal.
“Aaron is a real signing for us,” Saints head coach Russell Martin said.
“I’m very grateful to the owners and the board for making this happen, especially when so many other clubs are keen to get him.”
Ramsdale has been linked with a move to Wolves.
The former Bournemouth goalkeeper attended Southampton’s play-off tie against Leeds United in May to support close friend David Brooks, who is on loan at 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.
