Newcastle have completed the signing of England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale on loan from Southampton.
The agreement between the clubs is a season-long loan with an option to buy next summer.
Newcastle turned to Ramsdale after missing out on James Trafford, who completed a £27m move to Manchester City in July.
Ramsdale told Newcastle’s official website: “It’s great to be here. I’ve always loved coming here and I’ve seen how passionate and loud the fans can be.
“I’ve always loved playing here at St. James’ Park – I’ve not always had the greatest of results, but when the fans get behind you it’s some place.
“Coming to the stadium and seeing it empty today, it’s quite surreal to think that this is going to be home for the foreseeable future. I’ve got the kit on, it’s got the nice Champions League badge on the sleeve and I’m delighted to be here.
Ramsdale was part of the Southampton side who finished bottom of the table last season
“Working with the manager and his coaching staff again was a big draw for me. They’ve already had a great influence on my career and the gaffer turned me from a man into a professional footballer at Bournemouth.
“He really showed me the ropes so the manager and his coaching staff were a huge selling point for me to come here.”
Analysis: Ramsdale a ‘keeper for the big stage
Sky Sports News’ James Savundra:
Aaron Ramsdale is a brilliant character. I know he has a few relegations on his CV but you can’t argue with his record as a goalkeeper.
He was Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper only two seasons ago before David Raya came in and made it his own. He’s used to challenging at the top end of the Premier League with Arsenal.
He’s a goalkeeper who has shown over the course of the last few years in the Premier League that he belongs on the biggest stage.
Nick Pope has performed admirably for them throughout the last few seasons, but unfortunately, he’s had a number of injuries. Eddie Howe wanted a goalkeeper to compete with Pope rather than replace Pope.
You will now have two England goalkeepers competing for the No 1 shirt at Newcastle, knowing whoever gets it will have a great chance of going to the World Cup next summer.
In
Anthony Elanga – Nottingham Forest, £55m
Antonio Cordero – Malaga, free
Aaron Ramsdale – Southampton, loan
Out
Lloyd Kelly – Juventus, £20m
Jamal Lewis – released
Callum Wilson – released
Sean Longstaff – Leeds, £12m
Sky Sports to show 215 live Premier League games from next season
From next season, Sky Sports’ Premier League coverage will increase from 128 matches to at least 215 games exclusively live.
And 80 per cent of all televised Premier League games next season are on Sky Sports.
