Arsenal have confirmed that Karl Hein will join Werder Bremen on a permanent deal in July, bringing an end to the goalkeeper’s seven-year spell in North London.
The Bundesliga side have moved to activate the €3million purchase clause included in Hein’s loan agreement after the Estonia international spent the 2025-26 campaign in Germany.
Arsenal officially announced the deal on Saturday and confirmed the transfer remains subject to the completion of regulatory processes.
Hein initially joined the Gunners from Estonian side Nõmme United in 2018 before signing his first professional contract a year later.
The 24-year-old progressed through Arsenal’s academy system and eventually made his senior debut in November 2022 during a Carabao Cup clash against Brighton & Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium.
That would ultimately prove to be his only competitive appearance for the first team.
Arsenal’s statement also highlighted Hein’s development through multiple loan spells away from the club in recent years as he searched for consistent senior football.
The goalkeeper spent time with Reading in the Championship during the 2021-22 campaign before later joining Real Valladolid, where he made 32 appearances across all competitions and earned praise for several impressive displays in Spain.
His latest loan move took him to Werder Bremen, although opportunities were initially limited in the Bundesliga.
Hein made only two league appearances during the 2025-26 season after finding himself behind Mio Backhaus in the pecking order for much of the campaign.
However, Bremen have still decided to invest in him long term and reports in Germany suggest he is expected to become a more prominent figure next season, particularly with Backhaus now strongly linked with a move to SC Freiburg.
The Estonian international also saw his season disrupted by a thumb injury which required surgery and prematurely ended his campaign in March.
Despite that setback, Bremen were convinced enough by Hein’s performances and potential to complete a permanent transfer.
Arsenal thanked the goalkeeper for his contribution during his time at the club and wished him well ahead of the next stage of his career in Germany.
While Hein never fully broke through into Mikel Arteta’s senior plans, the move allows him the opportunity to pursue regular first-team football at a crucial stage of his development.
For Arsenal, it also represents a clean resolution for a player whose pathway at the Emirates had become increasingly difficult following the emergence of established options ahead of him.