Arsenal have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Illan Meslier on a free transfer following his departure from Leeds United.
The 26-year-old Frenchman joins the north London club after seven seasons at Elland Road, during which he made 215 appearances across all competitions and registered 70 clean sheets.
Meslier expressed his enthusiasm for the move, stating: “I’m very happy and very proud to join Arsenal. I cannot wait to show the love that I’ve got for this badge, and I cannot wait to win trophies with this team, because this is a club that needs to lift trophies again and again.”
He also outlined his personal ambitions, adding: “First of all, I want to start [working] with the keepers, to show my levels, to continue to develop my skills, my ability. And then obviously to gain some game time, because this is what I missed last year.”
His arrival is expected to provide competition for current first-choice goalkeeper David Raya, who secured the Premier League Golden Glove award in the 2025-26 season.
Meslier began his career at his hometown club Lorient, progressing through their academy to make his senior debut in 2018 at the age of 18. After 28 league appearances in the 2018-19 season, he moved to Leeds on loan in August 2019.
He played a pivotal role in helping Leeds achieve promotion to the Premier League in his inaugural season in England, subsequently making the move permanent and accumulating 107 top-flight appearances for the Yorkshire club.
The new signing will wear the number 30 shirt and is set to link up with his new teammates for pre-season training, ahead of Arsenal’s opening league fixture against newly promoted Coventry City on August 21.
The Gunners will be aiming to retain their league title while also pushing for silverware in cup competitions next season.
Raya’s understudy, Kepa Arrizabalaga, was given playing opportunities in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup last season, but struggled to impress.
He was widely criticised for his performance in the Carabao Cup final back in March, when Manchester City beat Arsenal 2-0 at Wembley to claim the trophy.
