Former Arsenal star who cost £80m in transfer fees now playing in front of 246 people for EFL side

JUST three years ago, Aaron Ramsdale was starting regularly for Arsenal in the Premier League.

Now, he finds himself playing for in front of crowds of just 246 people.

Since returning to the Saints from his loan, 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 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.

It was his first appearance since April 18 – when he featured for Newcastle against in the .

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.

Fixtures Results Table

Friday 11 September

West Ham

20:00

Live Teams

Wrexham

Saturday 12 September

Bolton

12:30

CHA

Cardiff

Derby

12:30

CHA

Birmingham

West Brom

12:30

CHA

QPR

Blackburn

15:00

CHA

Millwall

Charlton

15:00

CHA

Portsmouth

Wednesday 9 September

Charlton

0 – 0

CHA

QPR

Norwich

2 – 1

CHA

Birmingham

Derby

0 – 1

CHA

West Brom

Tuesday 8 September

Bolton

2 – 3

CHA

West Ham

Cardiff

1 – 1

CHA

Stoke

Blackburn

1 – 2

CHA

Sheff Utd

English Football League – Championship Pld Pts GD W D L Form

1

6

13

3

4

1

1

2

6

11

5

3

2

1

3

6

11

4

3

2

1

4

6

11

3

3

2

1

5

6

11

-1

3

2

1

6

5

10

3

3

1

1

7

5

10

2

3

1

1

8

5

9

2

3

0

2

In 2017, Ramsdale joined Bournemouth from 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 .

He made 89 appearances across three years for the Gunners before being replaced by and eventually joining Southampton for £25m, where he currently plays.

The Daily Mail reports that considered a move for him earlier this year before completing a deal for .

A potential return to Bournemouth was also considered.

But despite falling down the pecking order at Southampton, he still remains on the official squad list, suggesting he still has a role to play for the club.