Karl Hein close to Arsenal loan exit as Real Valladolid beat Charlton to goalkeeper

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Evening Standard

·6 August 2024

Karl Hein close to Arsenal loan exit as Real Valladolid beat Charlton to goalkeeper

Spanish club owned by Brazilian great Ronaldo, who knows Gunners sporting director Edu

Hein had been close to joining League One side Charlton, but the Spanish side have hijacked them with a late move.

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The Arsenal goalkeeper will join Real Valladolid on loan for the upcoming season and it will provide him with the chance to get regular action.

Hein had received interest from numerous English sides, with Charlton his preference, but once the chance to play in LaLiga came up, Arsenal and the goalkeeper could not turn it down.

Valladolid are owned by former Brazil striker, Ronaldo, who knows Arsenal’s sporting director Edu from their playing days.

Hein spent last season as Arsenal’s No3 goalkeeper, but it was agreed he would go on loan this year after signing a new contract in June.

The 22-year-old has enjoyed a successful pre-season for Arsenal in the absence of fellow goalkeepers Aaron Ramsdale and David Raya.

Ramsdale and Raya have been on an extended break after Euro 2024 and it allowed Hein to start all three of Arsenal’s game on their US tour.

The Estonia international impressed in those games, especially in Arsenal’s first match against Bournemouth - which they won on penalties after Hein saved two spot-kicks.

Ramsdale and Raya have now returned for pre-season training and that has paved the way for Hein to go on loan.

This will be the second loan spell of the 22-year-old’s time at Arsenal after spending six months with Reading during the 2021-22 season.