Ramsdale Reunites with Howe in Loan Move to Newcastle

England international Aaron Ramsdale says reuniting with Eddie Howe played a pivotal role in his decision to join Newcastle United on a season-long loan from Southampton, Sport360NG reports.

The 27-year-old completed his temporary switch to St James’ Park on Saturday, rekindling a relationship with Howe that dates back to their time at Bournemouth. It was Howe who brought a young Ramsdale to the Cherries from Sheffield United in 2017 for a reported £800,000.

“Linking up with the manager and his staff again was a massive part of why I chose Newcastle,” Ramsdale revealed. “They’ve played such an important role in my development. At Bournemouth, the gaffer helped shape me from a young man into a proper professional.”

Newcastle turned to Ramsdale after their initial goalkeeping target, James Trafford, sealed a move to Manchester City from Burnley. The England stopper becomes the Magpies’ third summer addition, following the arrivals of winger Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest and Spanish teenager Antonio Cordero from Malaga.

Meanwhile, Newcastle rejected a substantial £110 million bid from Liverpool for striker Alexander Isak. The club is determined to hold on to the Swedish star, who they reportedly value at closer to £150 million.

A Divisive Addition?

Ramsdale’s signing brings another England international into Newcastle’s goalkeeping department, just three years after Nick Pope made history by becoming the club’s first England-capped keeper in over a century. However, the move has raised eyebrows among some supporters due to Ramsdale’s mixed top-flight record.

The former Arsenal and Sheffield United man has suffered relegation with four different clubs, most recently Southampton, who collected just 12 points last season. He also went down with Bournemouth in 2019-20, Sheffield United in 2020-21, and earlier in his career during a loan spell at Chesterfield in League Two.

Last season, Ramsdale conceded 66 goals in 30 Premier League matches, managing only three clean sheets. Despite that, his experience remains considerable, with 183 Premier League appearances to his name, not far off Nick Pope’s total.

Newcastle still have veteran Martin Dubravka as part of their squad, with the Slovakian international expected to provide competition, though he turns 37 in January.