In Arsenal’s first confirmed summer transfer, we have captured Cardiff City’s exciting young prospect Aaron Ramsey for a fee that although predictably “undisclosed” by Arsenal themselves, Cardiff have said is a fee of £5m straight up, with no clauses for extra fees like there were in Theo Walcott’s transfer for example. The signing emphasises the great youth policy Arsenal follow, as well as a considerable coup to be able to steal Ramsey from under the noses of Premieship and European Champions Manchester United.
Ramsey, a Man Utd fan whose idol is Ryan Giggs, was widely reported to have signed for his favourite club at the beginning of the month, only for Arsenal and Everton to also have bids accepted. Ramsey then visited Manchester United’s training ground without meeting Alex Ferguson, before going to talk to David Moyes at Everton. He was then jetted out to hold talks with Arsene Wenger in Switzerland, where the Welshman made his choice:
“I’m so happy to have signed for Arsenal. I am joining one of the biggest clubs in the world and can’t wait to meet my new team mates. I recently met with Arsène Wenger and he was a big factor in my decision to join Arsenal. He talked to me for a long time about the Club and the plans for the future, which really excites me. Arsenal is a Club which always gives young players an opportunity at the highest level of the game and I am going to work my hardest to be part of future successes here.
“It was a really difficult decision to leave Cardiff City, they are my local club with great supporters and I would just like thank everyone at Cardiff City for their support and help in my early career. I will still look out for their results and there will always be a place in my heart for the Bluebirds.”
His new manager is also ecstatic with how the race for his signature turned out, and Wenger had this to say:
“We’re delighted to have signed Aaron Ramsey. He is a young player who has shown huge potential with his performances for both Cardiff City and Wales at under-17 and Under-21 levels. He is still only 17, but has already shown that he is a very intelligent and mature player with great quality. Although he mainly plays in midfield, Aaron is a versatile player and can also play across the defence. We are all looking forward to welcoming Aaron to the Club for our pre-season preparations.”
Aaron Ramsey will look to meet up with Arsenal’s global stars early next month as they prepare for the new season, but if he appears in Augusts Emirates Cup as expected, it will not be the first time he has appeared at the Emirates Stadium. While representing his club against Arsenal in the Youth Cup on the day Jay Simspon grabbed the Emirates first hat trick, Ramsey also found himself on the scoresheet.
I think that this season he will see numerous substitute appearances, such is Wenger’s faith in youth and also Ramsey’s considerable talent and maturity. He will also almost certainly get starts in the early stages of the Carling Cup, and in the coming seasons we can hope to see a lot from the rising star of Welsh football.
