Arsenal goalkeeper Karl Hein has completed a move to Bundesliga side Werder Bremen on loan for the 2025/26 season.
The 23-year-old spent last year with Real Valladolid in Spain, where he made 32 appearances across all competitions.
His performances earned him regular game time, but Arsenal have decided once again that his future lies away from the Emirates.
Hein has been with the Gunners since 2018, joining from hometown club Nomme United as a teenager. He progressed through the academy ranks and signed his first professional deal a year later.
His only senior appearance for Arsenal came in November 2022 in a Carabao Cup tie against Brighton at the Emirates.
Despite being highly rated during his youth development, he never managed to break into Mikel Arteta’s long-term plans.
The Estonia international, who has already won 39 caps for his country, has also had a short loan spell in England with Reading. That stint was limited to five matches in the Championship during the 2021/22 campaign.
At Bremen, Hein has been recruited as a deputy to first-choice goalkeeper Mio Backhaus. The German club see him as a reliable second option, though Hein will hope to push for more opportunities in the Bundesliga during the season.
Arsenal are understood to value Hein between £3 million and £5 million, but it is unclear if the deal includes an option or obligation to buy next summer. His current contract runs until 2026, with an option to extend by a further year.
Per Mertesacker, Arsenal’s academy manager and former Bremen captain, is believed to have supported negotiations for the move.
His connections with the Bundesliga side helped open the door for negotiations and ensured Hein found a suitable destination.
The Gunners have already moved to strengthen their goalkeeping department this summer.
Kepa Arrizabalaga has been signed as a deputy to David Raya, while youngster Tommy Setford is also making strides in the academy. That competition has left little room for Hein to secure a role in the first-team squad.
Arsenal may choose to insert a sell-on clause into the agreement to benefit from any future development in Germany.
For now, Hein will focus on adapting quickly to his new environment and competing for minutes in the Bundesliga.