Arsenal Football Club has officially announced the signing of goalkeeper Illan Meslier on a free transfer after his contract with Leeds United came to an end. The 26-year-old Frenchman joins the Gunners as they bolster their squad ahead of the new season.

Meslier's Career at Leeds

Meslier leaves Leeds United after a notable tenure, having made 215 appearances for the club. He initially joined Leeds on loan from Lorient in 2019, with the move becoming permanent the following summer for a fee of £5 million. During his time at Leeds, Meslier played a crucial role in the team's promotion to the Premier League on two occasions, first in the 2019/20 season and again in 2024/25. However, his position became precarious last season as manager Daniel Farke opted for Lucas Perri and Karl Darlow over him.

Role at Arsenal

At Arsenal, Meslier is set to wear the number 30 shirt and is expected to take on the role of third-choice goalkeeper. This follows the departure of Karl Hein to Werder Bremen and the anticipated loan move of England under-21 international Tommy Setford. While there are ongoing discussions regarding Kepa Arrizabalaga's future, with a potential £5 million release clause, it appears likely that he will remain as David Raya's backup for the time being.

With this signing, Arsenal aims to strengthen their goalkeeping options as they prepare for the challenges of the upcoming season.