JUST three years ago, Aaron Ramsdale was starting regularly for Arsenal in the Premier League.
Now, he finds himself playing for Southampton in front of crowds of just 246 people.
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Since returning to the Saints from his Newcastle loan, Ramsdale has been demoted to fourth-choice goalkeeper, behind Daniel Peretz, George Long and Jamie Jones.
The 28-year-old is yet to feature in a match for the first team this season, but played for the Under-21s in their Premier League Cup opener against Blackburn last month.
Less than 300 spectators turned out to watch the match at the Silverlake Stadium in Eastleigh.
Ramsdale kept a clean sheet as the Saints cruised to a 4-0 win.
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It was his first appearance since April 18 – when he featured for Newcastle against Bournemouth in the Premier League.
Ramsdale made 23 appearances during his season-long loan with the Magpies and kept two clean sheets.
Newcastle had the opportunity to sign him for around £20million this summer, but rejected the move.
The Prem giants paid a £4m loan fee to get the goalkeeper to St James’ Park last August, taking the total amount in transfer fees over time for him up to just under £80m.
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In 2017, Ramsdale joined Bournemouth from Sheffield United for a fee worth around £1m.
Three years later, he returned to Sheffield United for £18.5m and spent another season at the club before completing his biggest move to date – a £30m switch to Arsenal.
He made 89 appearances across three years for the Gunners before being replaced by David Raya and eventually joining Southampton for £25m, where he currently plays.
The Daily Mail reports that Leeds United considered a move for him earlier this year before completing a deal for James Trafford.
A potential return to Bournemouth was also considered.
But despite falling down the pecking order at Southampton, he still remains on the official EFL squad list, suggesting he still has a role to play for the club.
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