First Signing Of The Season…

Arsenal have announced the signing of Wales Under-21 international Aaron Ramsey from Championship side Cardiff City on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee.

Champions League winners Manchester United and Premier League giants Everton were also fighting to sign the 17-year-old Welsh wonderkid.

But Ramsey decided to sign a three-year deal at Arsenal after they flew him out to Switzerland for face-to-face talks with boss Arsene Wenger at Euro 2008.

Manager Arsène Wenger said:

“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.”

Ramsey caught Arsenal’s eye when the young midfielder shone in a goal-scoring display during Cardiff’s FA Youth Cup quarter-final defeat to the Gunners in February 2007.

The player known as ‘Rambo’ was included in John Toshack’s Wales squad for the first time this summer for their friendly double-header with Iceland and the Netherlands but he failed to make an appearance.

Ramsey spoke on why he was so pleased with his recent meeting with Gunners boss Arséne Wenger and revealed that it was one of the major factors to why he joined Arsenal.

“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.”

Cardiff boss Dave Jones has hailed Ramsey’s versatility as the teenager has played in his favoured central midfield role, on each flank, at full-back and also in a free role behind the striker this season.

Not only do Arsenal have one of the best prospect’s in Europe at their hands, Aaron could turn into a world-beater, something that Arséne Wenger is extremely good at…

Tags: arsenal, cardiff, Ramsey, transfer