Illan Meslier will be a familiar name to supporters who have seen us in action against Leeds United in recent years, but how much do you actually know about our newest shot-stopper?
The Frenchman has made eight appearances against us in his career, and against no other opponent has he lined up against more often. But now he’s in our camp, here are some fun facts you might not know about our first summer signing:
FINDING HIS FATE
Like many goalkeepers, Illan initially found his way between the posts accidentally. "It happened a bit by chance," he said in 2018. "I was eight years old, and my old club [Merlevenez] were playing in a tournament in Hennebont.
“There was no goalkeeper. I was asked to go in goal, and it was only when Lorient came to get me, at nine years old, that I realised I couldn't move position."
ILLAN'S IDOLS
Growing up in Brittany, northern France, Illan studied goalkeepers from a young age, and a few big names helped shape his game. “I saw Hugo Lloris when he came to Tottenham from Lyon,” he said. “I remember Peter Cech too and Edwin van der Sar a bit.
“My model, though, was more Manuel Neuer. He’s more of one of my examples. I like to watch the goalkeepers, watch their quality and then try and do the same, to make my own version of a goalkeeper."
UNBEATABLE START
Having turned pro at Lorient in February 2018 and turned heads with his performances for their reserve team which led to early links with big clubs, Illan was handed his professional debut in a French Cup fixture the following August.
Having impressed his manager, former France international keeper Mickael Landreau, the teenager would go on to keep clean sheets in his first five games as a professional. He would end his debut campaign with 11 in 30 appearances, earning a move to Leeds United.
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EMIRATES DEBUT
Illan initially arrived at Elland Road on loan, and had to wait until January 2020 for his Whites debut, but it would come at the stadium he now calls home. The 19-year-old was selected by Marcelo Bielsa for an FA Cup third-round tie against us at Emirates Stadium in January 2020.
Playing behind another loanee in Ben White, Illan was only beaten once when Reiss Nelson’s 55th-minute strike sent us into the next round of the competition, which we would ultimately win. But the Frenchman’s impressive display would sow the seeds for further opportunities.
CHAMPIONSHIP CHAMPION
When first-choice keeper Kiko Casilla was given an eight-game suspension, Illan stepped into the Whites side and kept them on track for promotion to the Premier League. His seven clean sheets in 10 of the 11 remaining matches helped secure the title and Leeds’ top-flight return for the first time since 2004.
After making his loan move permanent the following summer, Illan would remain first choice at Elland Road for the next four-and-a-half seasons as they battled to reestablish themselves amongst English football’s elite.
CLEAN SHEET RECORD
A little over two years after his professional debut, Illan soon found himself tending the net for a Premier League side. Biesla’s team thrived in the higher division during 2020/21 and would ultimately finish 10th, thanks in part to their defensive heroics.
That season, Illan became the youngest gloveman in the competition's history to keep 11 clean sheets in a campaign, beating David de Gea and Scott Carson into second and third place. That total included one against us in a 0-0 draw at Elland Road in November 2020.
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FAMILIAR FACE
Illan’s exploits caught the eye of national team selectors, and he was soon working his way through the French ranks. After being first choice for the U20 World Cup in 2019, he ultimately won the first of 13 under-21 caps in May 2021, playing alongside the likes of Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Aurelien Tchouameni and Dayot Upamecano.
He also featured behind a backline that included a certain William Saliba. They would play five matches together during qualifying for the 2023 U21 Euros, with Les Bleus victorious and keeping clean sheets in all of them. The pair also played together once for the under-20s and twice at under-19 level, again remaining undefeated.
MORE MEDALS
After Leeds’ three-season stay in the top-flight came to an end in 2023, Illan remained in Yorkshire to help them back into the big time. They missed out on an immediate return with a play-off final defeat to Southampton, but the following year, they couldn’t be stopped.
Under the management of Daniel Farke, Illan won the Championship Golden Glove thanks to a tally of 18 clean sheets, and was named in the PFA Team of the Year as he helped Leeds clinch a second Championship title during his time at the club, amassing 100 points in the process.
SHOOTING HOOPS
Boasting a 6’7” frame and being good with his hands, it’s no surprise that Illan enjoys playing and watching basketball. At Leeds he regularly used to play against teammates including Crysencio Summerville, Wilfried Gnonto, and Brenden Aaronson, and has posted pictures of himself watching the New York Knicks courtside.
Aside from basketball, Illan lists his hobbies as fishing, gravel biking and reading.
FRENCH FIRST
We have a long history of Gallic influence at the club, stretching back to Arsene Wenger’s arrival as manager in 1996. Once he makes his Arsenal debut, Illan will become the 30th Frenchman to play for us, but he will achieve a notable first - our very first French goalkeeper.
He would also continue a trend of famous goalkeepers who have played for both Leeds and us, following on from David Seaman and John Lukic who were part of our title-winning sides across three decades.
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