Aaron Ramsdale has said Southampton manager Russell Martin made him feel ‘eight feet tall’ after completing his transfer to the club from Arsenal.
Ramsdale has signed a long-term contract with the Saints, who have agreed to pay an initial £18m for the England goalkeeper, with a further £7m in potential add-ons.
The 26-year-old is aiming to relaunch his club career after a frustrating spell at Arsenal, where he lost his place as first-choice goalkeeper to David Raya in 2023/24.
Ramsdale, who spent three seasons at Bournemouth between 2017 and 2020, said he is delighted to return to the south coast and is ready to ‘hit the ground running’ for the newly-promoted side.
Ramsdale delighted to complete Southampton transfer
“Coming back down to the south coast as well for me and my family, it would be an easier transition than most, so I feel like I can hit the ground running,” Ramsdale told the club’s official website.
“I’m absolutely delighted. 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.”