10 July 2026·By [Paul Vegas](/author/paul-vegas)
Illan Meslier has completed his move to Arsenal, arriving on a free transfer from Leeds after putting pen to paper on a two-year contract that carries a club option for a third year.
Meslier made 215 appearances across seven seasons with the Yorkshire club, keeping 70 clean sheets. _BBC Sport_ was first to reveal Arsenal's interest in the 26-year-old on 30 June, and the transfer has now been completed after Meslier lost his place as Leeds' number one and became available on a free transfer at the end of his contract.
"I'm very happy and very proud to join Arsenal," the French goalkeeper said.
> "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."
He added that he "cannot wait to win trophies" with "the biggest club in England."
Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper David Raya won the Premier League Golden Glove in 2025-26 for the most clean sheets, with 19 in 37 games, as the club won the title. There is a doubt over current second-choice Kepa Arrizabalaga's future heading into next season, which prompted Arsenal to explore the market for a replacement.
Meslier arrives as third-choice goalkeeper behind Raya and Arrizabalaga, but could be promoted into the number two role if Arrizabalaga departs as expected. His arrival is likely to mean 20-year-old goalkeeper Tommy Setford leaves on loan this summer to continue his development elsewhere.
Meslier's departure ends a seven-season association with Leeds that began when he arrived on loan from Lorient in 2019, before the move became permanent the following year. He was a near-ever-present for the Yorkshire club during their promotion campaigns and their subsequent spells in the Premier League, establishing himself as one of the division's most reliable shot-stoppers at a young age before a dip in form and the emergence of alternative options saw him lose his place last season. Leeds have since signed a replacement and are also exploring the market for further additions between the posts as they prepare for the new campaign.
For Arsenal, the deal represents a low-cost way of adding proven Premier League experience to their goalkeeping options without disrupting the pecking order established by Raya's title-winning campaign. Manager Mikel Arteta is understood to have sanctioned the move as part of a broader effort to strengthen squad depth across several positions this summer.