Southampton have introduced the signing of Aaron Ramsdale from Arsenal, with the goalkeeper dressing up as Hagrid from the Harry Potter films.
Relatively hilariously, Ramsdale was noticed earing a Hagrid disguise throughout Southampton’s play-off closing victory towards Leeds final season.
The goalkeeper subsequently revealed he had donned the outfit as he went to Wembley to cheer on winger David brooks, on mortgage at Saints on the time. The pair are shut pals and it’s their custom to attend the play-offs in fancy gown, ought to considered one of their pals make it to play beneath the arch.
Ramsdale will be a part of the south coast membership in an preliminary £18million deal, with Southampton set to pay a further £7m in add-ons.
The 26-year-old has agreed a four-year deal to remain at St Mary’s and might prolong his contract by a further 12 months.
Ramsdale wore a Hagrid costume in the course of the Championship play-off closing at Wembley
It brings an finish to his three-year keep on the Emirates stadium, after Ramsdale had been usurped as Mikel Arteta’s first selection between the sticks by David Raya.
Talking out at present on his distinctive fancy gown selection, Ramsdale instructed the membership: ‘A gaggle of my pals, all of us play soccer and there is a few lads who do not, we have been twice earlier than to observe our pal Harvey Gilmore play for Tranmere and Halifax,’ he stated. ‘Each occasions we have performed fancy gown.
‘A gaggle of my pals, all of us play soccer and there is a few lads who do not, we have been twice earlier than to observe our pal Harvey Gilmore play for Tranmere and Halifax,’ he stated. ‘Each occasions we have performed fancy gown.’
Ramsdale was noticed within the stands cheering on Southampton’s David Brooks, an in depth pal
Saints introduced his arrival on X (previously Twitter) by the enduring film character, writing: ‘Yer a Saint, @AaronRamsdale98,’ earlier than writing in a separate submit: ‘Wizard of the window.’
Ramsdale made 89 appearances for Arsenal following his £26m switch from Sheffield United in 2021.
He would go on to make 11 appearances in all competitions final season however will now get a shot at common first-team soccer after Arsenal signed Raya on a everlasting deal earlier this season.
‘I am completely delighted,’ stated Ramsdale instructed the membership.
‘The best way the supervisor desires to play, the best way he was after I spoke to him, he was simply stuffed with a lot enthusiasm. I might by no means met him earlier than however he made me really feel about eight ft tall, which is simply what you need.’
Talking on his lack of recreation time final season, he stated: ‘I’ve had the sensation of sitting on the bench and I do not wish to do this once more. Enjoying soccer, profitable video games of soccer, even getting attracts away from residence towards massive opposition or when your again’s towards the wall.
‘While you see the followers’ faces on the finish and you recognize the enjoyment it brings and in addition the enjoyment it brings the squad on Monday morning after a scrappy late win away from residence or a extremely grinded-out win towards a troublesome opponent.’
Arsenal’s second-choice goalkeeper posed for a selfie with a supporter at BOXPARK Wembley
He was later recording chatting within the stands – minus Hagrid’s bushy black stick-on beard
Talking on his selection of fancy gown for the play, Ramsdale stated to Sky Sports News again in Could: ‘Any time considered one of our pals get to Wembley we do fancy gown, it is one thing we have performed and we have gained thrice from it so we’re not gonna break from custom now.’
‘To see what he is performed over the previous few years, what he is been by way of, to see him out on that pitch – coming off and seeing how distraught he was – however then to get the win was very good.’
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