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Premier League champions Arsenal complete first summer signing as Illan Meslier joins on free transfer after leaving Leeds United
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Updated 09/07/2026 at 15:19 GMT+1
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Premier League champions Arsenal have completed their first signing of the summer window, with the confirmation that French goalkeeper Illan Meslier has joined on a free transfer after leaving Leeds United.
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The 26-year-old initially signed for Leeds in the summer of 2019 on loan from boyhood club Lorient.
Meslier eventually made his debut for the then-Championship club in January 2020, playing his part in a 1-0 defeat to future employers Arsenal in the Emirates FA Cup.
After helping The Whites finish top of England's second division, Meslier made his switch to England permanent and retained his spot as first-choice 'keeper, achieving 11 clean sheets in his first Premier League campaign.
In the intervening five seasons, Meslier suffered relegation with Leeds, who eventually returned to the top flight and finished 14th in the 2025/26 season, during which new signing Lucas Perri was awarded the No. 1 jersey.
Arsenal confirmed the Frenchman would wear the No. 30 shirt in their official announcement.
And Meslier called his new club "the biggest" in England. expressing his desire to lift more silverware after The Gunners' title triumph in 2026.
"I’m extremely happy," said Meslier. "It's a great day for me because I have just joined the champions. For me, Arsenal is the biggest club in England.
”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."
In total, Meslier made 215 appearances for Leeds, 107 of which came in the Premier League.
He will now compete with Kepa Arrizabalaga for the job of being David Raya's back-up, with the former Chelsea man having started in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup last term.
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As the 2026 FIFA World Cup reaches what is expected to be a dramatic climax, Arsenal seem keen to kickstart their summer transfer window.
Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes has reportedly asked to leave The Magpies, with Arsenal's interest said to be strong.
Guimaraes could not prevent Brazil's exit from the World Cup, after an Erling Haaland-inspired Norway dumped out the five-time champions in the last 16.
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