Aaron Ramsdale

Aaron Ramsdale is an English footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Arsenal.

After spending some time in the Bolton Wanderers youth set-up, Ramsdale began his senior career at Sheffield United.

The shot-stopper signed for Arsenal from Sheffield United in the summer of 2021 following the Blades’ relegation from the Premier League. He established himself as the first choice between the posts at The Emirates shortly after.

Ramsdale has represented England at youth level and was part of the team who won the European Under-19 Championship back in 2017.

So, how much do you know about Aaron’s rise to prominence and journey on the way to becoming the talented goalkeeper he is today? This is his story.

Early Life, Parents And Upbringing

Aaron Ramsdale (full name: Aaron Christopher Ramsdale) was born on 14 May 1998 in Stoke-on-Trent in England. He was raised in the village of Chesterton.

A passion for sport certainly seems to run in the Ramsdale family. His father was a 400m hurdler and twice ran for Great Britain and his mother had trials for England at netball.

Ramsdale has revealed that the support from his parents helped him to pursue his dream of becoming a professional footballer – but they were clear that his studies should not be affected by the sport.

Aaron Ramsdale (Photo: Arsenal FC / YouTube / Screengrab)

“The only ultimatum they gave me was that if ever my school work slipped, they would take me away from football until it came back,” said Ramsdale in an interview back in 2019.

“I always had a ball, whether it was in the garden or to just carry. My auntie brought one to the house just after I had been born and reminds me about it all the time!

“I remember telling my dad when I was about seven or eight that I wanted to be a goalkeeper and he looked at me and said ‘are you mad?’ I just shrugged my shoulders.”

Although Ramsdale admits that leaving the club was tough to take, he feels that the experience helped to lay the foundations for the rest of his career.

“When I was 15, I was released by Bolton,” said Ramsdale. “They said I was too small and couldn’t kick. At the time, they were right but they didn’t give me a chance to grow. A few other clubs looked at my size and also said no.

“I’d spent five years there and it was tough to take. I went there every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and thought it was everything. The rejection gave me backbone. When it happened again, it wasn’t a surprise and I just shrugged it off. I always thought I would get a chance.

“In year 11, I was about 5ft 8ins. Within a few months of leaving school, I was 6ft 1ins and have grown even more over the past two or three years.”

Sheffield United and Bournemouth

In 2013, Ramsdale joined Sheffield United and a year later he signed a scholarship with the club. In May 2016, he signed his first professional contract with the Blades.

Ramsdale made his professional debut on 6 November 2016 when he started and kept a clean sheet in a 6–0 home victory over Leyton Orient in the second round of the FA Cup.

Aaron Ramsdale (Photo: Arsenal FC / YouTube / Screengrab)

On 31 January 2017, and less than three months after his debut for the Blades, Ramsdale ended up signing for Premier League club Bournemouth for a fee believed to be around £1m.

Ramsdale was loaned out to both Chesterfield and AFC Wimbledon before he started to feature regularly for Bournemouth.

He did not make his full Premier League debut for Bournemouth until the opening day of the 2019-20 season in the 1-1 draw with his former club Sheffield United.

His fine form for Bournemouth was rewarded when he was voted as the club’s player of the year.

On 19 August 2020, Ramsdale rejoined his boyhood club Sheffield United. Speaking after the move, Ramsdale said: “It wasn’t an easy decision to leave Bournemouth, but when a club comes in for you, shows that faith it has and is willing to pay this sort of money then obviously I’ve got to do a lot to repay it, but my smile has been ear-to-ear since I walked back through the door.”

Ramsdale was named as Sheffield United’s player of the season despite their relegation from the top tier.

Arsenal

Following Sheffield United’s relegation from the Premier League, Arsenal swooped to sign Ramsdale in the summer of 2021.

Aaron Ramsdale (Photo: Arsenal FC / YouTube / Screengrab)

The deal was confirmed on 20 August 2021, with Ramsdale signing a long-term contract with the Gunners. According to reports at the time, the fee paid by Arsenal to Sheffield United could rise to £30m including add-ons.

The Guardian reported that the deal was worth an initial £24m, with £6m as performance-related add-ons.

Speaking after the move was confirmed, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta explained why the Gunners chose to sign Ramsdale.

“Aaron is a talented young keeper with huge experience and has international experience for England,” said Arteta. “He will bring competition and that’s what we want to create – healthy competition, quality competition in every position. We identified Aaron as the ideal option.”

Ramsdale himself admitted that he was thrilled to complete a move to the north London side. “It’s a lot of emotion really,” Ramsdale said after the transfer was confirmed. “All the hard work of mum and dad travelling up and down to Bolton from Stoke three times a week, going out on loans, dips in form… to come here and be given the chance by the boss… the stadium is just incredible so hopefully I can play well in front of a packed Emirates Stadium. I can’t stop smiling, it’s just one of those days where it’s not going to settle in for a few more.”

The Daily Mail reported in August 2021 that Ramsdale would be earning around £50,000 per week at Arsenal.

He made his Premier League debut for the north London side on 11 September 2021, keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 home win over Norwich City.

Ramsdale was named as the man of the match after producing a superb performance in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Leicester City in the Premier League on 30 October 2021.

Aaron Ramsdale (Photo: Arsenal FC / YouTube / Screengrab)

International Career

Ramsdale has represented England at Under-18, Under-19, Under-20 and Under 21 level.

He started all five games for the England Under-19 team that won the 2017 Uefa European Under-19 Championship

What Have Others Said?

Following a spectacular save from James Maddison’s free-kick in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Leicester City on 30 October 2021, England legend Alan Shearer and former Manchester United star Peter Schmeichel were among the ex-player to praise Ramsdale on social media.

Celebrity Arsenal fan Piers Morgan also applauded Ramsdale after his save at the King Power Stadium. Morgan tweeted: “Another moment of brilliance from @AaronRamsdale98 – a top class goalkeeper with a fantastic commanding presence. Love him.”

Arsenal starlet Bukayo Saka also praised Ramsdale following his start to life as a Gunners player. Asked about Ramsdale’s save from Maddison’s free-kick, Saka said: “From my angle, it was 100 per cent a goal and then he saved it. The second action, I thought it was going to be a goal again and he saved us again. I don’t know how he saved it, then he saved it again. So hats off to him from me. He was our best player and he deserved a clean sheet.

“He just keeps surprising everyone and he is in great form. I just hope he can continue like that because he is making a big difference.”