24 May 2026 10:06 BST |
6 min read
Arsenal have officially announced the permanent sale of Karl Hein to Werder Bremen following a loan spell with the Bundesliga outfit this season.
Hein, 24, joined Arsenal from his native Estonia back in 2018 and he has now left the club after eight years at the Emirates Stadium, during which time he made just one first-team appearance for the Gunners.
The Estonia international spent time on loan at Reading and Real Valladolid before joining Werder Bremen on an initial temporary deal last August, and the transfer has now officially been made permanent for a reported fee of €3 million.
Daniel Thioune’s side announced that they had opted to trigger the option-to-buy clause included in Hein’s loan deal on Friday and Arsenal have now subsequently confirmed his departure on a permanent deal.
Hein only made two appearances for Werder Bremen during the 2025-26 campaign, but the club have revealed that he is set to become their first-choice goalkeeper next season, with Mio Backhaus leaving to join Freiburg.
In an official statement on the club’s website, Hein said: “I’m delighted to be staying in Bremen for longer. Werder is one of the Bundesliga’s biggest clubs with a rich history. I felt at home in the city of Bremen and at SVW from day one, and I’m delighted to be able to continue being part of this institution.”
Karl Hein issues Arsenal exit message
Following confirmation of his permanent move from Arsenal to Werder Bremen, Hein posted on Instagram: “Where do I begin…eight beautiful years with this amazing club has come to an end.
“It was a real privilege to be part of a club like Arsenal for such a long time. It is surreal to look back and think that I was given the opportunity to find a way from the academy to the first team and I will forever be thankful to this amazing football club.
“This club has helped me grow from a 16-year old kid to a goalkeeper and person who can achieve his dreams. Who would have ever thought that somehow I will find myself a REAL FAMILY in London who I love.
“I’ve made so many irreplaceable memories, friends and connections that will stay with me forever. Congratulations to everyone involved in this special club on achieving the Premier League title this year and hopefully many more to come!
“Once a Gooner, always a Gooner.”
Hein has become the second Arsenal star to leave the club on a permanent transfer this summer, with Jakub Kiwior completing a move to FC Porto following a successful loan spell with Francesco Farioli’s side.
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