4 weeks ago
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Aaron Ramsdale has sent an emotional message to Arsenal fans after completing his transfer deadline day move to Southampton.
Ramsdale sealed a permanent transfer to Saint in a deal which could rise to £25million.
The 26-year-old lost his place in the Arsenal side to David Raya last season, but will aim to get back on track at newly-promoted Southampton who visit Brentford on Saturday eager to earn a first point back in the Premier League.
Ramsdale formed a special bond with Arsenal fans over the course of three uplifting years at the north London club and paid tribute to those supporters who stood by him during difficult times.
He wrote on Instagram: ‘From the moment I arrived, I felt like one of you. All I ever wanted to do was give my all and try to get the club back to where it belongs. The connection that we had will stay with me forever.
‘This is a special football club that has come a long way in a short space of time and it has been a privilege to share so many great moments with you.
‘I look forward to returning soon, seeing some familiar faces and reminiscing on good times!
‘Thank you to all of my team mates for going to battle with me; we certainly gave it a good go and had some fun. Finally, and most of all, thank you to the Gunners for always being behind me! I will love you forever.’
Ramsdale, meanwhile, could go straight into the Saints team tomorrow following his new club’s difficult start to the new campaign which has left them pointless after two games.
‘He is hungry to become England’s number one again and he wants to be here. I think that is so important,’ Russell Martin told a press conference.
‘If you had asked me four or five weeks ago, ‘would we have had a chance of signing Aaron Ramsdale?’. I would have thought you were probably crazy but then we’ve spoke a fair bit over that period of time.
‘Yeah, I’ve pestered him a little bit and even a week ago I would have probably thought it is not achievable, but worth trying still. Then he’s seen the way we’ve played, he’s watched the first couple of games and I think he admires the courage of the players and the way they play.
‘I think he knows he has a chance to express himself and come in and show everyone what a good goalkeeper he is.
‘I think he has been frustrated over the last year at the lack of playing time, but he brings winning mentality, big character, big voice.
‘We’re quite a quiet group in terms of because we’re a young group. So, I think he brings experience, attitude, winning mentality and I think he’ll be great.’
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