By Adegboyega Adeleye
Premier League champions Arsenal have signed former Leeds United goalkeeper Illan Meslier on a free transfer, the club confirmed in an official statement on Thursday.
The 26-year-old French goalkeeper joins the Gunners after leaving Leeds, where he spent seven seasons and made 215 appearances in all competitions, keeping 70 clean sheets.
Meslier began his professional career at French side Lorient before joining Leeds on loan in 2019. He helped the Yorkshire club secure promotion to the Premier League in his first season, with the move later made permanent.
The Frenchman went on to make 107 Premier League appearances for Leeds before departing at the end of last season.
“I’m very happy and very proud to join Arsenal,” Meslier said after completing the move.
“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.
“First of all, I want to start working with the keepers, to show my levels, to continue to develop my skills and my ability. Then, obviously, to gain some game time, because this is what I missed last year.”
Meslier is expected to provide competition for Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper David Raya, who won the Premier League Golden Glove award during the 2025-26 season.
The France international will wear the No. 30 shirt and will link up with his new teammates for pre-season ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League opener against newly promoted Coventry City on August 21.
