Arsenal goalkeeper Karl Hein will complete a permanent transfer to Werder Bremen this summer, the two clubs have confirmed. The 24-year-old joined the Bundesliga outfit on loan at the beginning of the 2025/26 campaign, with the Estonia international making two appearances.
Hein effectively served as the club’s number two, with Mio Backhaus featuring in most matches under Daniel Thioune. Backhaus will depart the club to join SC Freiburg in the summer, however. Werder Bremen confirmed in a statement of their own that Hein is now “set to become the club’s new first-choice goalkeeper”.
An Arsenal statement reads: “Karl Hein will complete a permanent move to Bundesliga side Werder Bremen in July 2026.
“The 24-year-old joined us in June 2018 from his hometown club, Nomme United. Karl signed his first professional contract with us the following year after he joined, and went on to make his first-team debut in November 2022, when we played Brighton and Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup third round at Emirates Stadium.
“Karl, an Estonia international with 45 senior appearances for his country, has spent the 2025/26 campaign on loan with his new side in Germany, where he made two Bundesliga appearances. The 6ft 4in goalkeeper had also previously spent time on loan in the Championship with Reading during the 2021/22 season, as well as Real Valladolid, where he made 32 appearances in all competitions last season.
“Karl Hein will complete a permanent move to Bundesliga side Werder Bremen in July 2026.
“We thank Karl for his contribution to the club during his time with us and wish him all the best for his next chapter with Werder Bremen. The deal is subject to the completion of regulatory processes.”
Hein sustained a hand injury during training in March, which required surgery and ruled him out for the rest of the campaign. The goalkeeper will now enjoy the summer break before returning for pre-season preparations in July.
Upon completing his permanent move to the German club, Hein said: “I’m delighted to be staying in Bremen for longer. Werder is one of the Bundesliga’s biggest clubs with a rich history. I felt at home in the city of Bremen and at SVW from day one, and I’m delighted to be able to continue being part of this institution.”
Clemens Fritz, managing director for sport at Werder Bremen, added: “Karl already showed last season that he is a goalkeeper of the highest quality. We’re therefore delighted to head into the new campaign with a strong number one between the posts.”
Addressing Backhaus’ exit as part of the double announcement, Fritz explained: “From both a sporting and personal perspective, Mio’s departure is not an easy one for us. He played a very impressive debut Bundesliga season and also brought huge value to the dressing room by way of the person that he is.
“However, SC Freiburg submitted an offer that represents both a major opportunity for Mio and an extremely lucrative move for us financially, and so all parties are glad with how the move has gone. We wish Mio nothing but the very best for the future.”