Arsenal have officially announced the permanent sale of Karl Hein to Werder Bremen, after he has been on loan to the Bundesliga club this season.
Hein, 24, joined Arsenal from his native Estonia back in 2018. Now he is leaving the club after eight years at the Emirates Stadium – a period in which he only got one first-team game for the Gunners.
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The Estonian international goalkeeper has been on loan at Reading and Real Valladolid before leaving for Werder Bremen on a temporary deal in August last year. Now the transfer has been made permanent for a reported sum of three million euros.
Will be the first goalkeeper next season
Daniel Thioune’s team announced on Friday that they had chosen to trigger the purchase clause that was included in the Hein loan. Arsenal have since confirmed that he is leaving the club on a permanent basis.
Hein only made two appearances for Werder Bremen during the 2025/26 season, but the club have revealed that he is ready to become their first goalkeeper for next season – this as Mio Backhaus leaves the club to join Freiburg.
In an official statement on the club’s website, Hein says:
“I’m overjoyed to stay in Bremen longer. Werder is one of the Bundesliga’s biggest clubs with a rich history. I felt at home in the city of Bremen and in SVW from day one, and I look forward to continuing to be part of this institution.
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Karl Hein’s farewell message to Arsenal
Following the confirmation of the permanent transfer from Arsenal to Werder Bremen, Hein posted a heartwarming message on Instagram:
“Where do I start… Eight beautiful years with this fantastic club are over.
It has been a great privilege to be part of a club like Arsenal for such a long time. It’s unreal to look back and think that I got the opportunity to go from the academy to the first team, and I will forever be grateful to this fantastic football club.
This club has helped me grow from a 16-year-old boy to a goalkeeper and a human being who can achieve his dreams. Who would have thought that one day I would find a REAL FAMILY in London that I love so much?
I have made so many unforgettable memories, friends, and connections that will stay with me forever. Congratulations to everyone involved with this special club with the Premier League title this year – and hopefully many more!
Once a Gooner, always a Gooner.»
Other sales this summer
Hein will be the second Arsenal player to leave the club on a permanent transfer this summer. Jakub Kiwior has previously completed a transfer to FC Porto after a successful loan spell with Francesco Farioli’s team.
