Aaron Ramsdale has bid an emotional farewell to Arsenal supporters after completing a transfer to Southampton, a move valued at up to £25 million.

The 26-year-old goalkeeper, who became a fan favourite at the Emirates, leaves North London after two seasons in search of more consistent playing time, following his recent demotion to Arsenal’s No. 2 goalkeeper.

In a heartfelt message to the Arsenal faithful, Ramsdale expressed his deep connection to the club and its supporters. He wrote:

“To My Arsenal Family,

“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 teammates 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 ❤️

“See you soon.

“Rambo’.”

Ramsdale’s departure follows a swift agreement between Arsenal and Southampton, which sees the Saints paying an initial £18 million, with an additional £7 million in potential performance-related bonuses.

These bonuses include a £1 million incentive if Southampton retains their Premier League status, along with other clauses tied to Ramsdale’s performances and appearances.

The deal also reportedly includes a sell-on clause, ensuring Arsenal could benefit from any future transfer involving Ramsdale.

The transfer ends Ramsdale’s brief but impactful stint at Arsenal.

He joined the Gunners in the summer of 2021 from Sheffield United for approximately £24 million, a move that was initially met with scepticism due to his back-to-back relegations with Bournemouth and Sheffield United.

However, Ramsdale quickly silenced critics by establishing himself as Arsenal‘s first-choice goalkeeper.

During his debut season at Arsenal, Ramsdale made 34 Premier League appearances, earning praise for his shot-stopping prowess, commanding presence, and ability to play out from the back. His performances were pivotal as Arsenal pushed for a top-four finish, and his passionate displays quickly endeared him to the fans.

Ramsdale continued to excel during the 2022-23 season, playing a crucial role as Arsenal challenged at the top of the Premier League table. However, the summer of 2023 brought change, as Arsenal signed David Raya on loan from Brentford, with an option to buy. Raya’s arrival intensified competition for the No. 1 spot, and the Spaniard’s superior ball-playing skills eventually saw him take over as the preferred starter.

As a result, Ramsdale’s opportunities became limited, with the Englishman making just 11 appearances during the 2023-24 season. Determined to reclaim a first-choice role, Ramsdale sought a move away from Arsenal, leading to his transfer to Southampton.

Southampton’s interest in Ramsdale heightened after they withdrew from pursuing Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow, focusing instead on securing the English international.

Ramsdale’s arrival is seen as a significant boost for the Saints, with manager Russell Martin viewing him as the ideal candidate to strengthen their goalkeeping options and help stabilise the team’s defence.

For Arsenal, the sale of Ramsdale not only provides a financial boost, with the potential to receive up to £25 million, but it also signals a shift in the club’s goalkeeping hierarchy. As Ramsdale departs, Arsenal will look to integrate fresh talent into their squad as they continue to rebuild ahead of the new season.

Ramsdale’s departure marks the end of a memorable chapter in his career at the Emirates, where he rose from initial doubts to become a key figure in the team.

As he embarks on a new challenge at Southampton, Ramsdale leaves with the gratitude and best wishes of the Arsenal faithful, who will remember his contributions with fondness.