New Arsenal signing Aaron Ramsey has received a surprise good luck message as he begins his Ashburton Grove career.
The £5million midfield starlet became the Gunners’ first summer signing earlier this month when he joined from Championships side Cardiff City.
Ramsey, 17, rejected offers from Premier League champions Manchester United and David Moyes’ Everton in favour of a move to North London.
But it could have been oh so different for the talented teenager.
Only 18 months ago, Ramsey was spotted playing rugby league for his school by scouts from St Helens.
The Super League club offered him the chance to start a professional career with them.
Ramsey though, had already decided his future was in football and chose to stick with Cardiff.
It was a decision that paid off for the gifted Welsh midfielder.
Just months later, he became the second-youngest player to feature in an FA Cup final when the Bluebirds lost to Portsmouth at Wembley.
An international call-up for Wales followed before the Premier League’s top teams queued up for his signature.
St Helens and England rugby league star Jon Wilkin hopes Ramsey makes a success of his time at Arsenal.
The forward, 24, said:
“It sounds like he’s a very talented guy and I wish him all the best.
“Potentially he’s going to benefit financially from choosing football over rugby league.
“But for him the main thing is that he has to be doing what he enjoys the most.
“If football is the game he likes then he has definitely made the right decision.
Wilkin also touched on why he’d like to see more money go back into the rugby league game, but admitted it will be very hard to compete to attract the sort of big-names you could sign in today’s current football game.
“Obviously it would have been great for him to come in to rugby league but that’s one of the challenges we face in our sport.
“We would love to be able to attract the best players but sometimes it’s hard to compete with the money in football.”
Sticking to the same topic, Cardiff City vice-captain Riccardo Scimeca has urged his ex-team mate Aaron Ramsey to be patient in the Premier League, and warned of the pressures and expectancy of performing in one of the greatest competitions in the world. Read more about that over at Young Guns.
Tags: arsenal, cardiff, Ramsey, rugby league, wilkin
June 28, 2008 at 4:12 pm
I can’t wait to see him against Barnet
June 28, 2008 at 4:22 pm
As well as the Carling Cup
June 28, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Can’t wait
I Also think he will make a few appearances in the F.A Cup…Do you agree?
Im starting to get annoyed with all the transfers, rumours now lol. Apparently, the Hleb, Nasri and Adebayor Saga will all be resolved one way or another, next week. Big week lol.
Where do you think Ramsey will play in the C.C squad? Because if he plays in the occasional prem game, i see him playing on the right or left…but in the C.C, maybe he will play centrally?
June 28, 2008 at 5:03 pm
I do agree mate.
It’s difficult to say mate, I prefer watching him play as a central midfielder, but he is certainly capable across the midfield.
June 28, 2008 at 5:36 pm
I really like what i’ve been reading about this lad and I like all fellow gooners wish him all the best.
June 28, 2008 at 5:55 pm
[...] See the rest here: Rugby League Star Sends Out ‘Good Luck’ Message To Arsenal New-Boy [...]
June 29, 2008 at 11:23 pm
[...] Rugby League Star Sends Out ‘Good Luck’ Message To Arsenal New-BoyOnly 18 months ago, Ramsey was spotted playing rugby league for his school by scouts from St Helens. The Super League club offered him the chance to start a professional career with them. Ramsey though, had already decided his future … [...]
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