Arsenal has officially announced the signing of Illan Meslier on a free transfer following his exit from Leeds United. The 26-year-old French goalkeeper joins the north London club after an impressive seven-season stint at Elland Road, where he made 215 appearances and achieved 70 clean sheets.

Meslier expressed his excitement about joining Arsenal, stating, "I'm very happy and very proud to join Arsenal. 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 also shared his personal goals, saying, "First of all, I want to start [working] with the keepers, to show my levels, to continue to develop my skills, my ability. And then obviously to gain some game time, because this is what I missed last year."

His addition is set to intensify competition for the starting position against current first-choice goalkeeper David Raya, who won the Premier League Golden Glove award in the 2025-26 season.

Meslier began his career at Lorient, making his senior debut at 18. After a successful loan at Leeds in 2019, he played a crucial role in their promotion to the Premier League, later making the move permanent and accumulating 107 top-flight appearances for the club.

He will don the number 30 shirt and is expected to join his new teammates for pre-season training ahead of Arsenal's opening league match against Coventry City on August 21. The Gunners aim to defend their league title and pursue additional silverware in cup competitions next season.

Last season, Raya’s understudy, Kepa Arrizabalaga, struggled to impress, particularly in the Carabao Cup final where Manchester City defeated Arsenal 2-0.