Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Arsenal have reached an agreement to sign goalkeeper Illan Meslier on a free transfer from Leeds United.
Romano confirmed that Meslier’s medical has been completed in London, with the contract fully signed and the deal now officially sealed.
The 26-year-old arrives at the Emirates Stadium without a transfer fee after his contract at Elland Road expired last month.
Meslier originally joined Leeds on a season-long loan from FC Lorient in the summer of 2019, playing a key role in the club’s promotion push from the Championship.
He initially served as backup to Kiko Casilla before being handed the starting role in February 2020 after the Spaniard received an eight-match suspension.
Meslier seized the opportunity brilliantly, keeping seven clean sheets in 10 league outings as Leeds secured promotion back to the Premier League.
He held down the first-choice spot across five Premier League seasons but unconvincing performances and costly errors throughout 2024/25 saw Lucas Perri and Karl Darlow overtake him in the pecking order.
The Frenchman did not feature once for Leeds last season, with his final appearance coming in a 2-2 draw with Swansea City in the Championship back in March 2025.
According to The Athletic, Arsenal identified the opportunity to sign Meslier following a recommendation from the club’s goalkeeping coach, Inaki Cana.
The report also notes that Meslier’s arrival would allow academy goalkeeper Tommy Setford to depart on loan in search of regular playing time.
Neither of Arsenal’s reserve keepers sufficiently matched the standards set by first-choice stopper David Raya in domestic cup competition last season, highlighting the need for a dependable backup.
Although Meslier is not currently at Raya’s level, he arrives highly motivated and could develop into a trustworthy deputy under Mikel Arteta’s management at the Emirates.