Arsenal’s summer transfer plans have started with Andrea Berta already making changes to the squad ahead of the 2026/27 season
Karl Hein will join Werder Bremen this summer in a permanent deal, Arsenal have announced.
The 24-year-old joined the Bundesliga side on loan at the start of the 2025/26 season, with the Estonia international making two appearances. Hein was essentially the club’s No.2, with Mio Backhaus starting most games under Daniel Thioune.
Backhaus will leave the club to join SC Freiburg in the summer, however. Werder Bremen confirmed in a statement of their own that Hein is now “set to become the club’s new first-choice goalkeeper”.
An Arsenal statement reads: “Karl Hein will complete a permanent move to Bundesliga side Werder Bremen in July 2026.
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“The 24-year-old joined us in June 2018 from his hometown club, Nomme United. Karl signed his first professional contract with us the following year after he joined, and went on to make his first-team debut in November 2022, when we played Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup third round at Emirates Stadium.
“Karl, an Estonia international with 45 senior appearances for his country, has spent the 2025/26 campaign on loan with his new side in Germany, where he made two Bundesliga appearances. The 6ft 4in goalkeeper had also previously spent time on loan in the Championship with Reading during the 2021/22 season, as well as Real Valladolid, where he made 32 appearances in all competitions last season.
“We thank Karl for his contribution to the club during his time with us and wish him all the best for his next chapter with Werder Bremen. The deal is subject to the completion of regulatory processes.”
