Southampton announce the £25m signing of Aaron Ramsdale from Arsenal, as the goalkeeper dresses up as Hagrid for his unveiling - after disguising himself as the Harry Potter character at last season's play-off final
- Aaron Ramsdale was unveiled as a Saints player while wearing a Hagrid outfit
- The goalkeeper notably wore the costume to the play-off final back in May
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Aaron Ramsdale was unveiled as Southampton's latest summer signing while dressing up as Hagrid from the Harry Potter movies.
Rather hilariously, the former Arsenal goalkeeper was spotted wearing a Hagrid costume during Southampton's play-off final victory against Leeds last season.
The goalkeeper subsequently revealed he had donned the outfit as he went to Wembley to cheer on winger David Brooks, on loan at Saints at the time. The pair are close friends and it is their tradition to attend games at Wembley in fancy dress, should one of their friends be playing under the arch.
Ramsdale will join the south coast club in an initial £18million deal, with Southampton set to pay an additional £7m in add-ons.
The 26-year-old has agreed a four-year deal to stay at St Mary's and can extend his contract by an additional 12 months.
Aaron Ramsdale was unveiled as a Southampton player while wearing a Hagrid outfit
On Friday, the ex-Arsenal goalkeeper signed for Saints in a £25million contract, joining for four years
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The move brings an end to his three-year stay at the Emirates Stadium, after Ramsdale had been usurped as Mikel Arteta's first choice between the sticks by David Raya.
Speaking today on his unique fancy dress choice, Ramsdale shed light on why he has been spotted dressing up as the fictional character.
'A group of my friends, we all play football and there's a couple of lads who don't, we've been twice before to watch our friend Harvey Gilmore play for Tranmere and Halifax,' he said. 'Both times we've done fancy dress.'
Saints announced his arrival on X (formerly Twitter) quoting Hagrid's iconic line from the movie: 'Yer a Saint, @AaronRamsdale98,' before writing in a separate post: 'Wizard of the window.'
After joining Arsenal from Sheffield United in 2021 for a fee of £26m, Ramsdale would go on to make 89 appearances for the north London outfit while also becoming a fan favourite among fans at the Emirates Stadium.
But last season, he would go on to make 11 appearances in all competitions with Raya rising above him in the pecking order - forcing Ramsdale to sit on the bench.
'I'm absolutely delighted,' said Ramsdale told the club.
Ramsdale was spotted in the stands cheering on Southampton's David Brooks, a close friend
Ramsdale will join the south coast club in an initial £18million deal, with Southampton set to pay an additional £7m in add-ons
The transfer brings an end to his three-year stay at Arsenal, with Ramsdale making 89 appearances for the north London club
Ramsdale stated that it was his ambition to get back to playing football, after having 'sat on the bench at Arsenal'
'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.'
Speaking on his lack of game time last season, he said: 'I've had the feeling of sitting on the bench and I don't want to do that again. Playing football, winning games of football, even getting draws away from home against big opposition or when your back's against the wall.
'When you see the fans' faces at the end and you know the joy it brings and also the joy it brings the squad on Monday morning after a scrappy late win away from home or a really grinded-out win against a tough opponent.'
Arteta has subsequently thanked Ramsdale, following his move.
'Firstly I want to say thank you so much [to Ramsdale] for what he has done for the club, for the team, for myself,' the Arsenal boss said in a press conference earlier today.
'When he joined, he brought a lot of joy and charisma and brought his energy and he was really good at that time.
The ex-Arsenal goalkeeper posed for a selfie with a supporter at BOXPARK Wembley
He was later seen chatting to fans in the stands - minus Hagrid's bushy black stick-on beard
'Things developed and he had a situation that was very difficult for him and was insisting a lot that he is very happy when he plays. We have tried to fulfil that desire that he had.
'He looked really happy and excited the other day and he's joining a great club with a great coach. So I think we are all happy for him.'
