Aaron Ramsdale has completed his transfer from Arsenal to Southampton in a deal that could be worth up to £25 million, marking the end of a significant chapter in his career at the Emirates Stadium.

The move sees Ramsdale depart North London after two seasons, as he seeks more regular playing time following his demotion to Arsenal’s No. 2 goalkeeper.

Arsenal and Southampton agreed on a fixed fee of £18 million for Ramsdale, with the potential for the total sum to rise by an additional £7 million if performance-related add-ons are met.

These add-ons include a £1 million bonus contingent on Southampton maintaining their Premier League status, as well as further incentives linked to Ramsdale’s appearances and performances. The contract also reportedly includes a sell-on clause.

The negotiations between the two clubs were concluded swiftly after Wolves withdrew from the race due to the overall cost of the deal.

Ramsdale had been linked with a move to the West Midlands club, but their interest cooled, leading Southampton to emerge as the front-runner for his signature.

Southampton’s interest intensified after they pulled out of a move for Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow, focusing their efforts on securing Ramsdale.

Ramsdale joined Arsenal in the summer of 2021 from Sheffield United for a fee of around £24 million.

His arrival was initially met with scepticism, with many questioning the size of the fee for a player who had suffered back-to-back relegations with Bournemouth and Sheffield United.

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

In his debut season, Ramsdale made 34 Premier League appearances, earning widespread praise for his shot-stopping ability, distribution, and commanding presence in the box. He became a fan favourite, known for his passion and leadership on the pitch, as well as his crucial saves that helped Arsenal push for a top-four finish.

Ramsdale’s performances were equally impressive during the 2022-23 season, where he once again played a key role as Arsenal challenged at the top of the table. His consistency between the posts and ability to deliver in high-pressure situations made him one of the standout performers in Mikel Arteta’s squad.

However, in the summer of 2023, Arsenal signed David Raya on loan from Brentford, with an option to buy. Raya’s arrival created direct competition for Ramsdale, and the Spaniard’s superior ball-playing skills quickly saw him take over the starting spot.

Ramsdale found himself relegated to the bench, making just 11 appearances in the 2023-24 season as Arsenal adopted a more fluid style of play from the back.

With Ramsdale eager to re-establish himself as a first-choice goalkeeper, the move to Southampton provides the 26-year-old with a fresh start.

Southampton manager Russell Martin is known to be a big fan of Ramsdale and sees him as the ideal candidate to strengthen the club’s goalkeeping options. Ramsdale’s arrival comes at a crucial time for the Saints, who are looking to stabilise their defence and avoid another relegation battle.

For Arsenal, the sale of Ramsdale represents a significant financial boost, especially with the potential to receive up to £25 million from the deal.

Aaron Ramsdale’s departure from Arsenal marks the end of a brief but impactful spell at the Emirates.

Having risen from initial doubts to become a key player for the Gunners, Ramsdale now embarks on a new challenge at Southampton, where he hopes to regain his status as a first-choice goalkeeper.

For Arsenal, the move opens the door for fresh talent to step in, as the club continues to reshape its squad ahead of the new season.