In Profile: Aaron Ramsdale

From plying his trade in the lower leagues to earning the plaudits of the top flight, the Staffordshire-born shot-stopper has always done things his own way.

In a career that has taken him from the Steel City to the South Coast, then to the Emirates and England, Ramsdale brings a wealth of experience despite still being just 26-years-old.

A familiar face for fans of the top flight.

The signs of his goalkeeping credentials have been there from the early days, reaching the English Schools’ FA Cup semi-finals is no mean feat for the average school football team.

Ramsdale was spotted by Fred Barber - a former goalkeeper with over 400 Football League appearances to his name - and joined Bolton Wanderers’ youth academy before making his way to Sheffield United for the first major milestones of his career.

He progressed through the Blades’ youth academy and signed a scholarship contract in 2014; an emergency loan to Worksop Town followed, albeit for only one game, that showed bold courage to venture into the Northern Counties East Football League at 17-years-old.

In the 2015/16 season he earned a first professional deal with Sheffield United, in League One at the time, and the 2016/17 season saw his senior debut arrive at the age of 18 in the FA Cup.

That was enough for the youngster to catch the eyes of shrewd Premier League scouts, as AFC Bournemouth secured his services in January 2017.

With his Cherries debut still a few seasons away, a summer on the international stage was the next milestone on Ramsdale’s journey; he was ever-present for England’s Under-19s as they won the 2017 U19 EUROs.

One of his teammates that tournament? A certain Ben Brereton (now Brereton-Diaz), before his Chilean change of allegiance.

Aaron Ramsdale,Under-19s European Champion.

Ready for regular football, Ramsdale was loaned to Chesterfield in League Two then AFC Wimbledon in League One in successive seasons as he built up his senior experience.

For the latter, in 2019/20, he won the club’s Young Player of the Season award, helping Wimbledon survive relegation after being 10 points from safety in February.

He headed back to Bournemouth and, at 21-years-old, had earned the trust of Eddie Howe enough to be thrust into the spotlight of the Premier League, as he made his debut on the opening day of the 2019/20 campaign.

Ramsdale quickly established himself as the Cherries’ first choice between the sticks, with his Premier League debut season culminating in winning the supporter-voted Player of the Year award.

Despite not being able to stave off relegation by a single point, he’d proven his top flight credentials and earned a reunion with Sheffield United.

In August 2020 he returned to the Blades, three years older and wiser. He was ever-present for them in the Premier League but, unfortunately, suffered the same fate as his previous campaign.

A second top-flight relegation isn’t what any player wants on their CV, but Ramsdale once again was hailed for his performances.

At 22-years-old, he won Sheffield United’s Player and Young Player of the Year awards, and earned a spot in the England senior team’s training squad ahead of EURO 2020.

Back at the Blades, the young goalkeeper continued to impress.

Ramsdale’s stock was still steadily rising and, in the summer of 2021, Arsenal came calling. 

Mikel Arteta handed him his debut five days later in the Carabao Cup and the new Gunners shot-stopper kept a clean sheet in a comfortable 6-0 win.

Reprieved from a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Manchester City, Ramsdale was put back in the side for his Premier League debut and never looked back, keeping four clean sheets in his first five Arsenal games.

He played 37 games in total that season as Arsenal finished 5th; Ramsdale earned Player of the Month awards, made a handful of notable saves, and made his full senior England debut.

To top off a successful first season at the highest level of his career, the departure of Bernd Leno saw Ramsdale take the number one shirt.

He had arrived at the right time as Arsenal’s trajectory was only heading in the same direction, and the 2022/23 campaign proved to be the most memorable to date.

Another 41 appearances in all competitions left no doubt that Ramsdale was first choice as Arsenal pushed Manchester City all the way in a thrilling title race.

The pinnacle, lifting the Premier League trophy, was not to be, but once more Ramsdale had proved any doubters wrong - PFA Team of the Year and LFA Goalkeeper of the Year awards were the individual accolades he rightfully earned.

“I know you guys probably weren’t the most over excited for the signing of myself,” he said, in his typically humble manner, when announcing a new Arsenal contract; he'd become an integral part of the squad and earned the respect from the Emirates faithful.

Aaron Ramsdale, Arsenal's number one.

However, football can be an unforgiving game, and the 2023/24 season saw Ramsdale’s playing time limited with David Raya arriving in North London. 

He recorded just 11 appearances in all competitions, and that itch for regular playing time returned after a summer as part of England’s EURO 2024 squad.

“I started my football journey for the love of playing.” were Ramsdale’s words in his first Southampton interview, citing the infectious passion of Russell Martin as a key factor in his return to the South Coast.

Ramsdale shares that passion in abundance both on and off the pitch - as seen by his well-documented appearance at Wembley, cheering on friend and former teammate David Brooks dressed as Hagrid as Saints reached the promised land in May.

Perhaps it was fate, or just a bit of transfer window wizardry, that sees Ramsdale and Southampton cross paths once more, but his addition to the squad will certainly be a statement for the 2024/25 campaign.